44% of ministers in one denomination say they aren’t trained to handle mental health issues in church.
A PC(USA) minister survey on mental health issues found that 44% of the 4,507 pastors surveyed reported that they “have not been trained to recognize mental health concerns or how to minister to those individuals and families who face them.”
Another 22% of clergy responded that their mental health training was “on the job or learn as you go,” while 18% reported getting training at a seminary or college. Sixteen percent reported receiving training as “a part of continuing education.”
Among the respondents who said they had training on mental health issues, 61% said that the training improved their “ability to respond” to mental health issues in the church.
Jashalund Royston and Susan Barnett of PC(USA) Research Services, who oversaw the report, wrote in an article on their study….
“A significant number of ministers have concerns about their abilities to recognize and respond appropriately when confronted with an issue related to mental health or substance abuse.”
A 2014 LifeWay survey found that about 14% of churches from all denominations have a counselor trained in mental health on staff.
LifeWay also found that about 76% of pastors say they refer church members to a professional counselor if the help they seek requires more than two counseling sessions.