Can psychologists help?
Watching as the conference unfolded, I thought of several ways that health and mental health professionals could help faith communities in similar efforts. Conferences of this kind could occur in different faith communities across the country. Often community religious leaders are willing to take the initiative, if assured the professionals will be respectful of the people and their religious beliefs. Often there is a disconnect between what psychologists and other learned professionals understand and what is known or believed by others. We understand the power of belief systems and their ability to influence cognitions and emotions. Religious beliefs can be just as strongly held and have the same power to influence behavior. Everyone may not able to relate to black churches and congregations and vice versa. However, health professionals, especially psychologists, have knowledge and skills that, if shared with others in a faith context, have the potential to influence behavior, save li
