Impact of experiences in the United States on Ghanaian clergy’s approach to mental illness: implications social work and human rights

Abstract The study explored whether Ghanaian American clergy’s experiences in the United States impacted their views about mental illness. The study used a phenomenological approach and collected data from 8 Ghanaian American Clergy in New York City. Data was transcribed and coded to develop themes. The findings showed that participants’ views about the causes and treatment for mental illness have evolved due to their experiences in the United States. The findings show that (a) mental health literacy creates a positive perception of mental illnesses for the clergy, leading to a move away from the spiritual etiology for mental illness towards the biomedical etiology, (b) the availability of treatment resources in the United States contributed to a shift from spiritual treatment approach of fasting and prayer to a hybrid model of treatment of referring patients to hospitals and therapists for treatment while clergy still pray for them, (c) the humane treatment and support mental health patients receive in the United States changed the clergy’s negative perception of mental illness and reduced the stigma. The conclusion is that the lack of mental health literacy and evidence-based treatment resources leads to relying on spiritual interpretation and treatment for mental illness. Social workers must focus on promoting mental health literacy for the clergy and intensify their advocacy for adequate treatment resources to enhance humane treatment for people with mental health conditions and promote their human rights.