Unique contributions of churches and clergy to community mental health

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.