Exploration of Religious Leaders' Perspectives and Experiences on Mental Health in the US-Mexico Border Region

Background and Purpose: Many racial or ethnic minorities are less likely to seek mental health professional help. Instead, they tend to rely on informal resources such as family and religious leaders. Informal resources’ understanding of mental health influences their decision to support individuals with mental health problems or refer them to appropriate mental health treatment services. This might be more so for communities that significantly lack mental health resources and socially and economically marginalized communities like US-Mexico border region. Yet, few studies include religious leaders in mental health research within this context. This study focuses on understanding experiences, knowledge, and perceptions of mental health and mental health treatment among religious leaders in the US-Mexico border region.

Methods: Seven semi-structured focus groups (5 to 8 participants per group) were conducted in a city of the US-Mexico border region. A total of 37 religious leaders (Mage=50.11, age range = 18-68) recruited from Evangelical and Catholic churches. Twenty-four participants were females. A majority of participants (n=35) were Hispanics. Five focus groups were conducted in Spanish. A focus group interview guide included questions about 1) their encounters with church members with mental health concerns; 2) their understanding of mental illness or mental health problems, and 3) their perspectives on mental health treatment. Focus groups ran between an hour and an hour and a half. Focus group interviews were transcribed verbatim. Spanish focus group interview transcripts were translated into English. Thematic analysis was conducted.

Results: Thematic analysis revealed that participants’ personal experiences, religious views, and public stigma influence the following five key themes: causes of mental illness; symptoms of mental illness; holistic treatment approach; acceptance and accommodation as a role of religious leader; and mental health education needs in church communities. The majority of the participants identified poor social and family environment, trauma, and lack of spirituality as causes of mental illness. Participants perceived that people have a mental illness when they exhibit behaviors that do not conform to social norms. Although variations in views on mental health treatment existed by denomination, incorporation of religiosity and spirituality in mental health treatment is considered essential. Due to discrimination against people with mental illness from the public, religious leaders perceived their role as accepting and accommodating for people with mental illnesses in church communities. Participants suggested the need for mental health education in church communities for both religious leaders and the congregation.    

Conclusions and Implications: Findings highlight that religious leaders in the US-Mexico border region may serve as an essential resource to support people with mental illnesses. Integration of the religious community into the mental health service system would be beneficial to promote the mental health of marginalized populations. In addition, results suggest that religious leaders may benefit from mental health education to assist people with mental illnesses.