Clergy Perceptions of Their Preparation for Counseling Older Adults

This study uses mental health literacy as a model for analysis of survey data from clergy (N = 503) to examine clergy members' perceptions of how prepared they feel to counsel older people. Logistic regression results indicate that more training specific to older adults and to mental illness, better relationships with mental health professionals, and more knowledge of resources were associated with increased feelings of preparedness for counseling. Discussion includes recommendations for training to help increase clergy members' abilities to recognize issues needing referral, improvement of relationships between clergy and mental health professionals, and increasing clergy knowledge of available resources.