“You can talk to them. You can pray”: Rural clergy responses to adolescents with mental health concerns.

Abstract

Despite evidence of the common occurrence of adolescent mental health problems, many who suffer are under-treated and more than half, regardless of age, are never treated at all (Hauenstein et al., 2007; Saunders, Resnick, Hoberman, & Blum, 1994). In many rural communities, religious congregations, faith groups, and clergy are among the strongest social supports available (Aten, Mangis, & Campbell, 2010; Garner & Hawkins, 2006). Increasingly, the faith community is viewed as an effective setting for health promotion and intervention (Ammerman, 2003; Campbell et al., 2007). Youth and adults with mental health problems frequently use religious beliefs or activities to cope with their symptoms (Larson & Larson, 2003). Although clergy frequently underestimate the severity of mental health conditions (Milstein, Bruce, & Midlarsky, 2000) and even suicide risk (Domino, 1990), many adults report turning to clergy before both primary care physicians or mental health providers when seeking assistance with emotional concerns (Ellison, Vaaler, Flannelly & Weaver, 2006; Fehar & Tyler, 1987; Puskar et al., 1999; Wang Berglund & Kessler, 2003). Rural parents also endorse the importance of clergy when considering help-seeking for their adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems (Murry, Heflinger, Suiter, & Brody, 2011). The psychological and physical health benefits associated with church attendance and adherence are well documented. The purpose of this study was to learn more about clergy perceptions of and responses to adolescent mental health concerns. This paper investigated clergy perceptions of adolescent mental health problems, attempts by clergy at intervention, and factors associated with the likelihood of referral. Language: en