Black Pastors and Counselors: Creating Meaningful Collaborations to Enhance Mental Health Awareness in Rural Areas

Black communities in rural areas offer a number of strengths including familial networks, resource sharing, and access to spiritual communities. These regions also face a host of challenges related to economic, educational, and social disadvantages, which leads to exacerbated psychological and emotional distress among residents. However, access to mental health professionals and services is largely limited in rural communities. Thus, community stakeholders, such as Black pastors and churches, could serve as collaborative partners with counselors to promote mental health awareness and increase supports in rural areas.