WACO, Texas — With research consistently showing that clergy — not psychologists or other mental health experts — are the most common source of help sought in times of psychological distress, a recent Baylor University study has found ministers often deny or dismiss the existence of the mental illness.
In a study of 293 Christians who approached their local church for assistance in response to a personal or family member's diagnosed mental illness, Baylor researchers found more than 32 percent of these church members were told by the pastor that they or their loved one did not really have a mental illness.
The study revealed these church members were told the cause of their problem was solely spiritual in nature, such as a personal sin, lack of faith or demonic involvement. Baylor researchers also found women were more likely than men to have their mental disorders dismissed by the church.
In a subsequent survey, Baylor researchers found the dismissal or denial of the existence of mental illness happened more in conservative churches than more liberal ones.
All of the participants in both studies previously were diagnosed by a licensed mental health provider as having a serious mental illness, like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, prior to approaching their local church for assistance.
“The results are troubling because it suggests individuals in the local church are either denying or dismissing a somewhat high percentage of mental health diagnosis,” said Matthew Stanford, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor, who led the study. “Those whose mental illness is dismissed by clergy are not only being told they don't have a mental illness, they are also being told they need to stop taking their medication. That can be a very dangerous thing.”
Carrie Beaird, substance abuse coordinator for the Baptist General Convention of Texas Christian Life Commission, agreed the results of the study are troubling. Many ministers have not been trained in how to appropriately handle serious mental illnesses. Because of that, they either dismiss mental illnesses as spiritual issues or refer all possible cases of mental illness to trained professionals and do not follow up on the situations.
Clergy must find a middle- ground approach that values people and ministers to them for an extended amount of time, said Beaird, a licensed counselor.
“A lot of churches use an all-or-nothing model,” she said. “We need our churches and pastors to be educated in knowing when to refer. And even if they refer, know when and how to call later to follow up and see how things are going.”
Mental illnesses are like physical ailments, Beaird said. In some cases, they require the attention of trained medical personnel.
With additional reporting by John Hall of Texas Baptist Communications.