Faith Leaders
In 2014, the American Psychiatric Association Foundation partnered with the American Psychiatric Association and the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition (a program of the American Association of People with Disabilities) to create The Mental Health and Faith Community Partnership. This Partnership has developed educational tools for mass distribution within any faith community.
The Partnership is a collaboration of psychiatrists and faith leaders representing diverse faith traditions. Psychiatrists and those in the mental health community gain perspective from the experience of spiritual leaders, and in turn, the faith leaders and their communities gain knowledge of the best science and evidence-based treatment for psychiatric illnesses. Learn more at apafdn.org/impact/community/faith-based-guide
The Mental Health Guide for Faith Leaders
From the work of the Partnership, we have created the Mental Health Guide for Faith Leaders, and have distributed over 2,500 Guides to faith leaders across America. In their role as “first responders,” faith leaders can help dispel misunderstandings, reduce stigma associated with mental illness and treatment, and help provide access to treatment for those in need. The Guide and accompanying Quick Reference provide faith leaders with the knowledge, tools and resources to support that role.
The Guide includes a general overview of mental health and mental illness and information on how faith leaders can support people with mental health challenges. For example, it discusses how to create a more inclusive and welcoming community, when and how to make a referral to professional mental health services, and ways to deal with resistance to accepting mental health treatment.
The Mental Health and Faith Community Partnership is a collaboration between psychiatrists and clergy aimed at fostering a dialogue between two fields, reducing stigma, and accounting for medical and spiritual dimensions as people seek care. The convening organizations are APA, the APA Foundation and the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition, a program of the American Association of People with Disabilities.
The partnership provides an opportunity for psychiatrists and the mental health community to learn from spiritual leaders, to whom people often turn in times of mental distress. At the same time it provides an opportunity to improve understanding of the best science and evidence based treatment for psychiatric illnesses among faith leaders and those in the faith community.
Resources for Faith Leaders
Mental Health: A Guide for Faith Leaders
This guide provides information to help faith leaders work with members of their congregations and their families who are facing mental health challenges. Click the link to purchase.
Quick Reference Guide
View the quick reference on Mental Health for Faith Leaders, a companion to the Guide.This guide provides information to help faith leaders work with members of their congregations and their families who are facing mental health challenges.
mental_health_guide_quick_reference_guide_2018.pdf
The Partnership is a collaboration of psychiatrists and faith leaders representing diverse faith traditions. Psychiatrists and those in the mental health community gain perspective from the experience of spiritual leaders, and in turn, the faith leaders and their communities gain knowledge of the best science and evidence-based treatment for psychiatric illnesses. Learn more at apafdn.org/impact/community/faith-based-guide
The Mental Health Guide for Faith Leaders
From the work of the Partnership, we have created the Mental Health Guide for Faith Leaders, and have distributed over 2,500 Guides to faith leaders across America. In their role as “first responders,” faith leaders can help dispel misunderstandings, reduce stigma associated with mental illness and treatment, and help provide access to treatment for those in need. The Guide and accompanying Quick Reference provide faith leaders with the knowledge, tools and resources to support that role.
The Guide includes a general overview of mental health and mental illness and information on how faith leaders can support people with mental health challenges. For example, it discusses how to create a more inclusive and welcoming community, when and how to make a referral to professional mental health services, and ways to deal with resistance to accepting mental health treatment.
The Mental Health and Faith Community Partnership is a collaboration between psychiatrists and clergy aimed at fostering a dialogue between two fields, reducing stigma, and accounting for medical and spiritual dimensions as people seek care. The convening organizations are APA, the APA Foundation and the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition, a program of the American Association of People with Disabilities.
The partnership provides an opportunity for psychiatrists and the mental health community to learn from spiritual leaders, to whom people often turn in times of mental distress. At the same time it provides an opportunity to improve understanding of the best science and evidence based treatment for psychiatric illnesses among faith leaders and those in the faith community.
Resources for Faith Leaders
Mental Health: A Guide for Faith Leaders
This guide provides information to help faith leaders work with members of their congregations and their families who are facing mental health challenges. Click the link to purchase.
Quick Reference Guide
View the quick reference on Mental Health for Faith Leaders, a companion to the Guide.This guide provides information to help faith leaders work with members of their congregations and their families who are facing mental health challenges.
mental_health_guide_quick_reference_guide_2018.pdf
Additional Resources
- Essays
- A Conception of the Interface Connecting Faith and Mental Health, Clark S. Aist, Ph.D.
- The Interface between Religion/Spirituality and Mental Health, John Peteet, M.D.
- A Call to Healing, Craig Rennebohm, M.Div.
- Mental Illness and Families of Faith: How Congregations Can Respond, Susan Gregg-Schroeder
- World Psychiatric Association Section on Religion, Spirituality and Psychiatry
- Bibliography of Faith/Mental Health Resources
- Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Faith Communities Task Force