Twenty-five per cent of pastors are experiencing mental illness according to a mental health clinician.
Dr Kwame Frimpong says this is due to the burden of mixing running the church with challenges posed to them by their members.
The clinician who practices in the USA explained that the men of God play the role of psychologists and counsellors.
He revealed this on an episode of 'A Walk with Jesus' with Pastor Ato Acquah on the 'Christian and Mental Health'.
The discussion was based on a real-life story of a caller who phoned into Joy FM’s late afternoon programme, ‘Drive Time’, to talk about his decision to commit suicide due to a marital problem.
He said that the issue of mental health has become relevant, compelling some pastors to acquire knowledge in clinical psychology to put them in a good position to speak or help church members on such matters.
This he added, has made pastors become more interested in the subject of mental health.
The mental health clinician urged pastors to take good care of themselves and their souls.
“You can be spiritually powerful and mentally weak if you do not take care of yourself and your soul. Pastors will be overwhelmed if they do not take care of themselves”.
Although there is a growing and worrying inclination toward mental health disorders in churches, the clinician said, "Pastors must not turn themselves into counsellors or psychologists.
"They must employ clinical psychologists or professional counsellors to partner with them in their work", Dr Frimpong advised.
“As typical Ghanaians, we associate every mental health disorder as spiritual and coming from the devil, and we become ineffective this way in our thinking to help our people. Some of these cases, however, could be demonic”, he said.
Dr Frimpong further recommended local churches get a psychologist or a professional counsellor on board with the church staff so they can partner with the church prayer warriors to work effectively.
He, however, revealed that some of the mental health disorders could be demonic, and others could be psychological.
Dr Frimpong also admonished churches to bring the subject of mental health back to the pulpit and educate its members, “if not, we will see so many things from the pulpit that will affect their performance and eventually cause them to burn out”, he warned.
Latest Stories
-
Kufuor Scholar champions Agricultural Innovation through Fidelity GreenTech Challenge
8 mins -
EPL: Isak scores at home again as Newcastle beat Arsenal
17 mins -
I’m proud that despite all the challenges, we have maintained Free SHS – Akufo Addo
4 hours -
Alan’s running mate, KOD says GRASP will revolutionize care for the Elderly in rural areas
4 hours -
Election 2024: Alan paints Accra yellow as the crowd marches through the capital with him
4 hours -
Vacant seats: Speaker has not done what would have led to greater peace – Kofi Bentil
4 hours -
Police on manhunt for Adabraka daylight robbers
4 hours -
Lordina Mahama presents medical supplies and equipment to Tishigu Health Center
4 hours -
Lordina Mahama urges Ghanaians to prioritise regular health screenings
4 hours -
EC to reassess decision on presidential ballot printing next week – Dr Bossman Asare
5 hours -
Shark attacks surfer, 61, on Hawaiian island of Maui
5 hours -
29 Nigerian children may be sentenced to death for protesting against cost-of-living crisis
5 hours -
Nigerian becomes first black woman to lead major political party in the UK
5 hours -
Perception issues affecting Supreme Court – Nii Armah Addy
6 hours -
Armed men bolt with cash at Adabraka market in dramatic daylight robbery
6 hours