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Religious institutions and the prevention of mental illness

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Abstract

It is estimated that fifteen percent of the population is in need of some kind of mental health service at any given time, thus constituting a primary health problem. The President's Commission on Mental Health (PCMH) recognized that religious institutions can help to prevent mental illness by providing support in the community. This paper presents types of programs the PCMH found that were supportive and describes the program of one church to illustrate additional ways that clergy and their congregants, working collaboratively with professionals and agencies, can contribute significantly to the prevention of mental illness.

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References

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  19. Ibid. President's Commission on Mental Health, Report of the Task Panel on Prevention, vol. 4, 1978, pp. 1827–1828.

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is in the private practice of clinical social work and an M.T.S. student at Wesley Theological Seminary.

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Reynolds, M.M. Religious institutions and the prevention of mental illness. J Relig Health 21, 245–253 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02274184

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