About The Study

Keeping the Faith: Clergy and Mental Health

This study aims to better understand how religious leaders think about and respond to mental health challenges within their communities.

We are exploring:

  • How clergy understand and explain mental illness;

  • Their experiences supporting congregants who are facing emotional or mental distress;

  • How knowledge, attitudes, and experiences around mental health may differ across faith communities.

The findings will help guide the development of culturally sensitive educational programs and resources to support clergy in their important role helping congregants in distress.

Participation

  • We are inviting:

    • Canadian Imams, Priests or Rabbis who work with a congregation of sizeable numbers of African and Caribbean Christians, Muslims, and Haredi Jews.

    • Have at least 2 years of experience as a religious clergy member.

    • Experience supporting congregants facing mental distress, mental illness, or related challenges.

    • Speak English or French.

  • All participants will partake in a research interview with a researcher. This interview will take place either virtually (via Zoom or telephone), or at a physical location of your choice if in the Montreal area. This interview will last between 60-90 minutes.

  • Participation in this study is completely confidential. Additionally, all identifying information (names, churches, mosques, synagogues, cities, etc.) shared in the interview will be redacted from the interview transcript.

  • All participants will be compensated with an Amazon gift card for their time.

For any other questions about the study, please contact us.