Polls show that most believers would seek mental health care if their faith leader recommended it

A survey released today by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) found that six in 10 adults (60%) agree that their faith or spirituality is an important factor in supporting their mental well-being. Yet, only half (52%) of those who belong to a religious community say their religious community talks openly and without stigma about mental health.

The survey of more than 2,000 American adults, conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the APA, examined the relationship between faith and mental health.

Of those who belong to a religious community, nearly three in five (57%) say they would likely reach out to a religious leader if they were struggling with their mental health. An even larger share (68%) say they would likely seek mental health care if a leader in their religious community recommended it. Of the adults surveyed, 67% said religion or spirituality was important to them, while 28% identified religion as “not very important” or “not important at all.”

“Many of us rely on our faith communities for support in times of mental and emotional distress, whether we are struggling ourselves or supporting a loved one with a mental illness,” said Marketa M. Wills, MD, MBA, CEO and medical director of the APA. “When a faith leader supports and encourages conversations about mental health, it makes a difference for that community, and as psychiatrists, we welcome that approach.”

For nearly a decade, the APA Foundation has brought together experts on the role of faith and mental health through its Mental Health & Faith Community Partnership. This partnership brings together psychiatrists and other mental health professionals with faith leaders to create a dialogue that informs the development of educational resources and training for both disciplines.

In connection with the pollThe APA Foundation is releasing the second edition of its resource guide, Mental Health: A Guide for Faith Leaders. The resource guide provides faith leaders with insights and tools to understand mental health issues and support congregation members with mental health issues.

The updated edition of the guide adapts the APA Foundation’s existing Notice. Talk. Act. framework for a faith community and offers advice for faith leaders on how to care for themselves to avoid compassion fatigue, as well as some notable tools and resources post-pandemic. The guide is available on the Foundation’s website.

In addition, the APA, in collaboration with the Partnership, is currently developing a continuing medical education (CME) module for psychiatrists to learn more about the connection between faith and mental health and how to provide meaningful care within faith communities.

“The results of this APA survey underscore how much church members rely on spiritual leaders for advice and counsel, and for knowing when additional mental health care is needed,” said Rawle Andrews Jr., Esq., executive director of the APA Foundation.

“By giving spiritual leaders the tools they need to make these connections to care, and in turn giving psychiatrists the CME training they need to provide culturally competent care, we create more equitable mental health outcomes for patients and their families.”