Clergy referral of suicidal individuals: a qualitative study.

In a national study, 25% of help-seekers contacted clergy; suicidal behavior was one of the significant predictors for making contact. Clergy have been found to refer 10% of help-seekers to mental health providers. This qualitative study explored the referral practices of 15 northeastern Mainline and Evangelical Protestant clergy when contacted by suicidal individuals; all referred to mental health providers. Participants reported low confidence with risk identification and provided moving examples of pastoral care.