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.

Pastoral care and AIDS: Assessing the stress and satisfaction from caring for persons with AIDS

“…Community religious leaders may provide important social support to members of their congregation, especially in urban settings (Jason, Goodman, Thomas, Iacono, & Tabon, 1988;Jason & Lattimore, 1990). However, the focus of counseling and the role of spirituality in caring for PWAs has been controversial (Bellemare, 1988;Menz, 1987).…”

The emergence of the inner-city self-help center

“…Mental health professionals are increasingly recognizing the value of these types of natural support systems and are developing ways of collaborating with them (Froland, Pancoast, Chapman, & Kimboko, 1981; Gesten & Jason, 1987). In addition to helping establish self-help groups (Harris,198 l), professionals have been active in evaluating their impact (Jason, 1985); developing linkages between them and other informal helping networks (Jason et al, 1988); publicizing the groups through press releases, brochures, newsletters, etc. ; training members in a variety of skills (e.g., interpersonal communication, active listening, group process, decision making, and problem solving) (Chutis, 1983); and linking interested members together through computerized statewide clearinghouses (Madara, 1986).…”