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Mental Health for Clergy & Pastors

Pastors, priests, rabbis, imams, chaplains. Real stats, specific resources, and guidance written for the particular culture of this profession — not generic advice.

The numbers
~54% of pastors say their work is hazardous to their family life. 70% say they don't have close friends. ~30% think about quitting ministry monthly.
~400,000 US clergy

Why mental health looks different here

Role isolation — the person everyone turns to has no one to turn to. Plus theological pressure to be the model. Plus financial precariousness. Plus witnessing trauma as first responder-equivalent.

Profession-specific resources

Built for your job. Not generic EAP. These know the culture.

Full Strength Network
Pastor-to-pastor peer counseling + residential retreats.
Open →
PastorServe
Crisis intervention + one-on-one coaching for clergy.
Open →
Sabbath House
Sabbatical retreats for clergy in crisis.
Open →

Most common issues in clergy

Based on prevalence data for this profession. Each links to a specific resource on Typical Male.

Licensure / fitness-for-duty — what's real and what's myth

No licensure issues, but denominational culture varies enormously on mental health disclosure. Most denominations now have confidential pastor-care resources separate from ecclesial review.

Free tool
Not sure what's going on?

The PHQ-9 + GAD-7 screeners your doctor uses. Private. Printable for your appointment. Tracks over time.

Take the PHQ-9 →