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@article{206900,
        author = {Rev. Michael Nana Kumi Manu},
        title = {Youth Mental Health: The Role of the Church},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {2},
        pages = {3264-3272},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=206900},
        abstract = {In Ghana, youth mental health is becoming a critical issue exacerbated by inadequate mental health services, stigma, and socio-economic stress among others. This paper examines how the Assemblies of God, Ghana can address the mental health needs of young people in the Greater Accra West region. Guided by Social Support Theory and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, the study examined the role of pastoral care and theological perspectives, as well as church programs in supporting youth mental health. A qualitative research design was employed in the study, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 50 purposively sampled senior and youth pastors. Focusing on lived experiences, data were analysed thematically through NVivo using Braun and Clarke’s steps. Results revealed that pastors view mental health difficulties mostly through a spiritual perspective, with the majority emphasising prayer, fasting, and deliverance, while a minority use integrated measures that combines spiritual care with professional referral. Pastoral care serves as the initial informal support system that offered guidance, mentorship, and emotional support though lacking formal counselling training. Referrals to health facilities were found to be relationship-oriented, with proactive referrals usually initiated only when pastors personally trusted mental health professionals. Though Preventive education and youth programming proved to be promising, with the introduction of mental health awareness into the spiritual instruction and youth-related events, major obstacles, such as stigma, rigid theological interpretations, inadequate resources, and the lack of institutional collaboration, limited the ability of the church to provide comprehensive mental health support. In conclusion, while the Assemblies of God Church has strategic potential to positively impact youth mental health through their empowering visions, realizing this potential requires theological reframing, anti-stigma initiatives, and leadership training. The study recommends capacity building for pastors, the formulation of church-based mental health policies, and the development of sustainable church-clinic partnerships to drive holistic care.},
        keywords = {Youth Mental health, Church, Pastoral Care, Stigma, Collaboration},
        month = {July},
        }