Clergy referral of suicidal individuals: a qualitative study

J Pastoral Care Counsel. 2011 Fall-Winter;65(3-4):1-11. doi: 10.1177/154230501106500304.

Abstract

In a national study, 25% of help-seekers contacted clergy; suicidal behavior was one of the significant predictors for making contact. Clergy have been found to refer 10% of help-seekers to mental health providers. This qualitative study explored the referral practices of 15 northeastern Mainline and Evangelical Protestant clergy when contacted by suicidal individuals; all referred to mental health providers. Participants reported low confidence with risk identification and provided moving examples of pastoral care.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Clergy / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Interprofessional Relations
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pastoral Care / methods*
  • Professional Role
  • Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data*
  • Religion and Psychology*
  • Spirituality
  • Suicide Prevention*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires