Helping African American Clergy and Churches Address Minority Disaster Mental Health Disparities: Training Needs, Model, and Example

Using an action participatory research approach, the authors conducted qualitative interviews with 41 African American clergy 1 year after Hurricane Katrina in severely affected areas of south Mississippi. These interviews revealed how mental health professionals can work with African American clergy and their churches by providing training that targets minority disaster mental health disparities. A 3-tier training model for equipping African American clergy and churches to respond to disasters in hopes of reducing minority disaster mental health disparities is offered. Identified training needs and suggested training delivery formats are discussed. A sample outreach and educational training project designed to equip African American clergy and churches in their response to minority disaster mental health disparities is also highlighted.