title: Unique contributions of churches and clergy to community mental health.
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 social-psychological 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.
mesh_terms: D002977:Clergy; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003191:Comprehensive Health Care; D003376:Counseling; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D010327:Pastoral Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation