The role of Pentecostal clergy in mental health-care delivery in Ghana

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Abstract

Against the backdrop of the current discourse on how religious groups are engaged in mental health in Ghana and how to properly engage them in mental health-care delivery, this study sets out to examine the views of 20 male Pentecostal clergy on the role of their churches in mental health-care delivery in Ghana. Thematic analysis was used to analyse interview transcripts. Findings showed that Pentecostal clergy lean more towards a diabolical explanatory model of mental health than a biomedical perspective. There are three roles of the church from the clergy's perspectives: exorcism, social support and health education. These roles are however hampered by certain barriers. The implication for strategies of establishing collaborative framework is discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)601-614
Number of pages14
JournalMental Health, Religion and Culture
Volume17
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2014

Keywords

  • Ghana
  • Pentecostal clergy
  • mental health care

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