African American discipleship : pastoring the mental health within the Black church

Farquharson, Jerome

1 online resource (xi, 305 leaves)

Includes abstract

D. Min. Covenant Theological Seminary 2025

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 293-305)

Título

African American discipleship : pastoring the mental health within the Black church

Última modificación

10/02/2025

Creador

Farquharson, Jerome

Abstract

The Black community continues to face significant disparities in mental health, attributed to stigma, limited access to quality care, and a history of marginalization. Despite being a pillar of support, the Black Church has traditionally struggled to adequately address mental health concerns, resulting in isolation and increased suffering among its members. This study will address the urgent need for mental health support within the Black Church by examining the role of pastoral care in reducing stigma, providing resources, and fostering a supportive environment for mental health promotion. Existing literature highlights the high prevalence of mental health issues in the Black community, exacerbated by systemic inequities, cultural stigma, and barriers to care. Studies suggest that faith and spirituality have the potential to support mental health, especially when integrated with pastoral care and other church-based interventions. Additionally, research emphasizes the importance of culturally sensitive approaches and collaboration between pastors and mental health professionals to effectively address these challenges. This qualitative research utilized semi-structured interviews and demographic data collection methods with Black church pastors to assess the effectiveness of pastoral care in promoting mental health. The findings reveal that stigma, cultural norms, and theological misunderstandings often hinder mental health support within the Black Church. Effective pastoral care practices include creating safe spaces for vulnerability, offering mental health resources and programs, and advocating for the community. However, significant barriers such as limited training, resource constraints, and generational differences in stigma remain. The study concludes that holistic and collaborative approaches are crucial for addressing mental health in the Black Church. This includes integrating mental health support into church life, normalizing conversations about mental health, and forming partnerships with mental health professionals. Future research should explore innovative funding models, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to reduce stigma, and develop culturally tailored programs to meet the unique needs of Black church communities.

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