“Psychologists are joining forces with religious communities to improve mental health and reduce the stigma of seeking treatment.

Religious leaders have always provided counsel to their constituents. But most aren’t trained to handle mental health disorders. Increasingly, faith-based institutions such as churches, synagogues and mosques are partnering with psychologists to improve the mental health of their congregants.

“There’s more movement happening in this area in the last four or five years than I’ve seen in the last 20,” says Shannon Royce, director of the Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives (also known as the Partnership Center) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.”

Reaching out to the faithful (apa.org)