In times of trouble to whom does a person turn?
Recent studies indicate that twc out of five persons go first to their clergymen, Dr. Mathew Ross, Washington, D. C, medical director of the American Psychiatric Association, said here Tuesday.
Because persons turn to theii clergymen for help, clergymer play an important part in the mental health picture and should be trained for this part, he said.
Dr. Ross was principal lecturer at the "Clergy and Mental Health" symposium at the Louisiana Association for Mental Health bldg., 1528 Jackson ave. CONTINUES TODAY
The symposium, sponsored by the mental health association, continues through Wednesday.
In an interview Dr. Ross said that historically religion and psychiatry have close ties. Exploring this relationship today, he said that hospitals for the mentally ill are staffed by trained clergymen,
The need for a working relationship between the two is further evidenced by the conclusions reached in recent studies of where persons go in times of trouble, he said.
Since many persons go first to their clergymen, clergymen, who have contact with many persons, should be trained to recognize the first signs of mental illness that requires the attention of psychiatrists, Dr. Ross said.
Clergymen who can recognize these signs can then recommend to a person who needs psychiatric-help that he seek this help, he said.
LACK RECOGNIZED
Asked if clergymen were qualified for their role in the mental health picture, Dr. Ross said, "Clergymen themselves recognize their own shortcomings."
To meet the need for more training in' mental health, he said, many seminaries have instituted "internships" in mental hospitals for their divinity students. There the students serve a month, he said, during which time they may watch psychiatrists and their work.
Harvard university, Yeshiva university and Loyola university in Chicago now have national institutes of health for training cler-gjimen in this field, he said. TJiis is a pilot project, he noted.
In addition, summer programs, seminars and symposiums on mental health are being held for the clergy in communities across the country, Dr. Ross said. ADVICE ACCEPTED
Asked if a person will accept the clergymen's recommendation that he seek psychiatric help, Dr. Ross said that he would if there were the proper relationship between the clergyman and that person.
The program for the two-day symposium here indicates the areas where clergymen are oftei involved in the mental health pic ture, he saioV Topics on the pro gram include aging, grief and "th< middle years."
Dr. Ross said that there was some antagonism between religior and psychiatry that could be over come by understanding.
"There is always antagonisrr where there is misunderstanding,' he said.
Clergymen have another part to play in the field of mental health
Dr. Ross said. By helping a person solve his daily problems thej can promote better mental health, DENEGRE CHAIRMAN
Dr. Julian B. Feibelman, rabbi of Temple Sinai, served as discussion leader for the morning session; George Denegre, president of the Louisiana Associatior. for Mental Health, was prograrr. chairman.
Addressing the afternoon sessior were two local psychiatrists Dr.
rLP. Adatto, and Dr. Henry H. W7~Miies~~a:nd Dr. John M. Price Jr., dean of the school oi religious education, Baptist Theological Seminary.
Dr. Lod W. Rowland, executive director~of the Louisiana Association for Mental Health, will serve as chairman of the program Wednesday. Participating on the program will be Dr Edward H. Knight; the Rev. H. J. F. Rest, pastor of the First Evangelical church, United Church of Christ; the Rev. John S. Jenkins, assistant headmaster of St. Martin's Episcopal school; Dr. Adatto; Dr. Frederick V. Poag, pastor of the St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian church; Dr. T. A. Watters; the Rev. Edward A. Sheridan,
director of Manresa Retreat house, Convent, La.; the Rev. George H. Wilson, executive secretary of the Greater New Orleans Federation of Churches; and Dr. Gene L. Usdin.
Mrs. Mabel Palmer, of the association, said that more than 95 clergymen attended the opening session. PHOTO: DR. MATHEW ROSS (center) of Washington, D. C, medical
director of the American Psychiatric Association, chats with the Rev. John S. Jenkins (left), assistant headmaster of St. Martin's Episcopal school, and Dr. Frederick V. Poag, pastor of the St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian church, at a symposium here Tuesday.
