African American Faith Communities: Foundations for Mental Wellness

By Rebecca Selove, Ph.D., M.P.H.
With contributors Rev. Neely Williams and Rev. Dr. Omaràn D. Lee
Posted July 31, 2024

Left to right, Dr. Rebecca Selove, Rev. Neely Williams, Rev. Dr. Omaràn D. Lee

The role of the church in African Americans’ lives and communities is immense and multi-faceted. In his recent book, The Black Church, Henry Louis Gates wrote, “The Black Church was the cultural cauldron that Black people created to combat a system designed in every way to crush their spirit. Collectively and with enormous effort, they refused to allow that to happen.”

A 2021 survey indicates that 47% of Black Americans attend church at least once a week, more than any other racial and ethnic group, and more than half of Black Americans who participate in church activities attend congregations that they identify as a Black church. These powerful and potent community centers’ historical and social roles align with NIMHD’s mission to improve minority health and reduce health disparities. They are addressing mental health needs as part of their dedication to supporting the health of their community’s soul. Researchers who focus on addressing African American health must engage leaders of these congregations as teachers and mentors for their research endeavors. These leaders already know much of what scientists want to understand.

Sabbath services in Black churches are often joyful expressions of gratitude and support. Messages from the pulpit and choir that acknowledge challenges, such as physical suffering, financial stress, grief, and anxiety, are offered in the overarching context of appreciation for the support, power, and goodness of God.

As someone of European Jewish ancestry, my education about Black churches began fairly recently. I am a member of the research team for the NIMHD’s Engaging Partners in Caring Communities (EPICC) project designed to build the capacity of congregations that serve African American communities to implement health promotion programs. I have enjoyed being welcomed into uplifting and inspiring Sunday morning services with our partners. “Good morning, Church” is a frequent greeting to all who are gathered in the sanctuary – everyone is included in the loving welcome.

At the same time that I have been experiencing the joy and warmth of the African American faith community, my faith leader partners and teachers in the EPICC project have been sharing their concerns about mental health issues affecting many in the African American community. They tell me about being called to address high levels of suffering associated with bereavement, suicide, substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, and youth and family violence. Pastors feel responsible for addressing these concerns while being very aware that the larger community offers inadequate support and resources that are sensitive to the needs and culture of African Americans. They note disparities in mortality associated with COVID-19 in African American communities, anxiety about access to trustworthy healthcare, and isolation associated with virtual participation in church activities during the pandemic.

The research literature reflects their leadership in health equity, social justice activism, and community-academic partnerships emerging to build on the long-standing strengths and mission of faith communities. Pastoral care and church-based programs to address depression and alcohol use disorders, and to reduce mental health stigma are examples.

At a recent gathering of leaders from nine EPICC partner congregations, Ms. Gwen Hamer from the Tennessee Department of Health and Mr. Sheldon Walker of Davidson County Metro Health Department described the Suicide Prevention and the African American Faith Communities Coalition (SPAAFCC), which started in 2009. Gwen told us, “… leaders in the African American faith communities… are one of the first people to be contacted when one of their parishioners is contemplating suicide or if a family member or friend of someone who has died by suicide needs comfort and encouragement. We felt their input in developing strategies to raise suicide prevention awareness and to help save lives from suicide in their faith communities was absolutely vital.”

SPAAFC provides monthly virtual meetings for members to support one another, as well as training in programs such as Question, Persuade, and Refer also known as the QPR Gatekeeper Training.

Our EPICC project team benefits from the guidance of two leaders in the Nashville African American faith community. Rev. Neely Williams has a long history of community advocacy and collaboration with academic researchers. Rev. Williams counsels our EPICC research staff to listen for our faith community partners’ strengths and to acknowledge the insights and priorities of church leaders. Rev. Dr. Omaràn D. Lee, a pastor and mental health practitioner currently serving as regional director of the Tennessee Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative, helped develop the EPICC proposal. He leads programs through the Reach One, Teach One Foundation and Centers for Well-Being to support pastors and faith leaders so they can better serve their congregations.

Faith community leaders have been providing a foundation for mental wellness for centuries, building on the considerable strength and wisdom of their spiritual traditions, their response to being called to serve their congregations, and their deep compassion for fellow human beings. We are grateful to be invited to join them in this effort.

Rebecca Selove, Ph.D., M.P.H., is director of the Center for Prevention Research at Tennessee State University. She has served as a clinical psychologist in a variety of community settings and is currently focusing on implementation science and community-engaged research to promote health equity.

Rev. Neely Williams is a minister, a community advocate, and a community organizer who has actively participated in the work of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) since its inception over 10 years ago. She serves as a consultant to the EPICC project’s research and community partner staff, lifting and articulating the community perspective on health disparities and health equity.

Rev. Dr. Omaràn Lee, formerly the director of the Congregational Health Network (CHN), helped develop the funding proposal for EPICC. He is a pastor, a pastoral counselor, and regional director of the Tennessee Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative, where he oversees the collaboration and coordination of faith-based and community organizations to address social issues and improve the quality of life for Tennesseans.