Date of Award
12-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Primary Advisor
Mark Hamilton
Secondary Advisor
Ron Bruner
Committee Reader
Myles Werntz
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This project sheds light on mental health issues within the Black community and the need for faith communities to intentionally address mental health issues in communities of color. Black men are oppressed by an interplay of cultural, historical, societal, and economic factors that impact their well-being. Racial discrimination and oppression are non-medical drivers exacerbating mental health disorders among Black men. The influences of culture and faith fabricate barriers to help-seeking behavior, and mistaken perceptions of masculinity cause many men to suffer in silence. To begin erasing derogatory perceptions of mental health disorders, faith communities need to increase mental health awareness through theoretical exposition of Scripture. Given the implicit bias embedded within the Black community regarding the relationship of faith and mental health, faith leaders have an opportunity to adapt and engage in courageous conversations. The faith community should take the lead in normalizing conversations about mental health. Exploring the intersectionality of faith and mental health, this study developed a faith-based curriculum to engage Black men in a conversation about mental health.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
LeBlanc, Patrick, "A Faith-Based Approach to Mental Health Challenges" (2025). Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations. 70.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/dmin_theses/70
Included in
Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, Community Health Commons, Critical and Cultural Studies Commons, Ethics in Religion Commons, Leadership Studies Commons, Missions and World Christianity Commons, Practical Theology Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Rhetoric Commons