Deadly ministerial advice

Frink warns:

Your pastor is a high-risk, even life-endangering choice for mental health advice, a recent Baylor University study found.

More than 32% of 293 previously diagnosed, "seriously mentally ill" church members reported that their pastor said they did not have a mental illness.

Misleading pastoral responses came most often from "conservative" or "charismatic" ministers, according to an account published in the Texas Baptist Standard. Matt Pene of Baylor University wrote:

... church members were told the cause of their problem was solely spiritual in nature, such as a personal sin, lack of faith or demonic involvement. Baylor researchers also found women were more likely than men to have their mental disorders dismissed by the church.

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