Abstract

Black church leaders are often first responders to mental health issues in the African American community, yet few have examined their views. We surveyed 112 church leaders in a Baptist Black mega-church (twenty-two associate pastors, thirty-four deacons, and fifty-six congregation care givers) using the National Survey of American Life to examine how religiosity is associated with attitudes about seeking mental health services. Church leaders who were more religious and who reported attending church more often tended to not seek out formal mental health services. Clinical providers and Black churches should develop collaborative partnerships to better meet the needs of this community.