Abstract
Good principles and practices of community mental health have been demonstrated by religious communities and leaders within these communities for many years. Using Caplan's model of primary-secondary-tertiary prevention, this paper articulates the unique and cooperative contributions of present-day religious institutions and personnel to the total community mental health endeavor. The validity of church's and clergy's involvement is supported by research data and is consistent with the socialpsychological models of conceptualizing emotional problems. Consultation from mental health professionals can aid churches and clergy to actualize even more fully their contributions to community mental health.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bentz, W. K. The relationship between educational background and the referral role of ministers.Sociology and Social Research, 1967,51, 199–208.
Bentz, W. K. Consensus between role expectations and role behavior among ministers.Community Mental Health Journal, 1968,4, 301–306.
Caplan, G.Principles of preventive psychiatry. New York: Basic Books, 1964.
Chu, F., & Trotter, S. (Eds.) The mental health complex: Community mental health centers (Part I of the NIMH Report). Washington, D.C.: Center for the Study of Responsive Law, 1972.
Clebsch, W. A., & Jaekle, C. R.Pastoral care in historical perspective. Englewood Cliffs, N. J.: Prentice-Hall, 1964.
Clinebell, H. J., Jr.Basic types of pastoral counseling. Nashville, Tenn.: Abingdon, 1966.
Clinebell, H. J., Jr. The local church's contribution to positive mental health. In H. J. Clinebell (Ed.),Community mental health: The role of church and temple. Nashville, Tenn.: Abingdon, 1970.
Cumming, E., & Harrington, C. Clergyman as counselor.American Journal of Sociology, 1963,69, 234–243.
Daniels, R. S. Community psychiatry—A new profession, a developing subspecialty, or effective clinical psychiatry?Community Mental Health Journal, 1966,2, 47–54.
Frank, J. D.Persuasion and healing: A comparative study of psychotherapy (2nd ed.). Baltimore, Md.: Johns Hopkins Press, 1973.
Gurin, G., Veroff, J., & Feld, S.Americans view their mental health: A nationwide interview survey. New York: Basic Books, 1960.
Hollingshead, A. B., & Redlich, F. C.Social class and mental illness: A community study. New York: Wiley, 1958.
Homans, G. C.The human group. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1950.
Jacquet, C. H., Jr. (Ed.).Yearbook of American churches 1972. Nashville, Tenn.: Abingdon, 1972.
Kennedy, J. F. Message from the President of the United States relative to mental illness and mental retardation. February 5, 1963, 88th Congress, First Session, House of Representatives, Document No. 58.
Larson, R. F. Attitudes and opinions of clergymen about mental health and causes of mental illness.Mental Hygiene, 1965,49, 52–59.(a)
Larson, R. F. Psychiatric orientations of a selected sample of New England clergy.Mental Hygiene, 1965,49, 341–346.(b)
Larson, R. F. Denominational variations in clergymen's attitudes concerning mental health.Mental Hygiene, 1967,51, 185–191.
Larson, R. F. The clergyman's role in the therapeutic process: Disagreement between clergymen and psychiatrists.Psychiatry, 1968,31, 250–263.
Lindemann, E. Symptomatology and management of acute grief.American Journal of Psychiatry, 1944,101, 141–148.
McCann, R. V.The churches and mental health. New York: Basic Books, 1962.
McNeill, J. T.A history of the cure of souls. New York: Harper & Row, 1951.
Piedmont, E. B. Referrals and reciprocity: Psychiatrists, general practitioners, and clergymen.Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 1968,9, 29–41.
Reiff, R., & Riessman, F. The indigenous nonprofessional.Community Mental Health Journal, 1965, Monograph No. 1.
Robinson, R., DeMarche, D. F., & Wagle, M.Community resources in mental health. New York: Basic Books, 1960.
Sata, L. S., Perry, D. A., & Cameron, C. E. Store-front churches in the inner city.Mental Hygiene, 1970,54, 256–260.
Schofield, W.Psychotherapy: The purchase of friendship. Englewood Cliffs, N. J.: Prentice-Hall, 1964.
Silverman, P. R. The widow-to-widow program: An experiment in preventive intervention.Mental Hygiene, 1969,53, 333–337.
Smith, M. B., & Hobbs, N. The community and the community mental health center.American Psychologist, 1966,21, 499–509.
Switzer, D. K. Crisis intervention techniques for the minister.Pastoral Psychology, 1970,21 (203), 29–36.
Szasz, T. S. The myth of mental illness.American Psychologist, 1960,15, 113–118.
Szasz, T. S.The myth of mental illness: Foundations of a theory of personal conduct. New York: Hoeber-Harper, 1961.
Toffler, A.Future shock. New York: Random House, 1970.
Westberg, G. E., & Draper, E.Community psychiatry and the clergyman. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C Thomas, 1966.
Wicker, A. W., & Mehler, A. Assimilation of new members in a large and small church.Journal of Applied Psychology, 1971,55, 151–156.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
He also teaches part time at Concordia Seminary in Exile and Washington University in St. Louis. The author wishes to thank Dr. Darwin Door now at Duke University for his critical comments.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Haugk, K.C. Unique contributions of churches and clergy to community mental health. Community Ment Health J 12, 20–28 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01435734
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01435734