Clergy's Knowledge of Self-Help Groups in a Large Metropolitan Area

Abstract

Religious leaders were surveyed concerning their attitudes toward self help groups. Of the 154 respondents, 70% had made at least one referral to a self-help group, and the religious leaders had generally positive feelings toward these groups. Although the religious leaders fell that self-help groups would be helpful with many of the problems brought to them by their congregation members, for only 59% of those problems did they know of specific self-help groups to which referrals could be made. A consultation session was provided for a sample of the religious leaders who had never made a referral to a self-help group. Following consultation, an increase in activities involving self-help groups was observed. This study suggests that mental health professionals can play a unique role in providing community gatekeepers, such as the clergy, with information and resources about self-help groups in their communities.