Know When and Where to Refer People with Mental Illnesses

Persons with mental illnesses and their families will often come to a clergy person and leaders in their faith communities first when symptoms of the illness strike. It is important for clergy to know when to refer people to mental health professionals rather than attempt to solve psychological problems themselves.
It is also important to know where in the community one can refer people for solid, professional help. If you are unsure about whom to contact when someone in your congregation needs professional help, one place to start would be your local affiliate of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI).  To find an affiliate in your area, click here. 

You may also contact one of many professional organizations to get a referral. Click here for a list of referral sources suggested by Pathways to Promise..

The National Mental Health Association also has an excellent step-by-step guide about how to go about seeking professional help for mental illnesses. Click here to reference this.

Besides referring persons to a mental health professional, it is equally important to stay in touch with the persons and/or their family--a major mental illness can cause a crisis of faith. Persons with mental illness and their families need this help in their faith communities as well as professional help.  Faith communities can make a enormous difference in people's lives when they are affected by a mental illness.