Churches have been a pillar in the African American community for hundreds of years. The pastor- the unifying voice for everyone that walks through the doors.
"As a pastor, we’re not only charged with the spiritual care of man, but we are to minister to the total man," said Pastor Tyler Coburn, Sr. of Prince of Peace Temple Church."Even when it comes to things like schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, so many times the stigma that comes along with that, people tend to turn it into a family secret or they don’t deal with it," said Coburn.
Hester believes pastor burnout is mostly due to the stigma that surrounds mental illness within the African American community. Throughout the pandemic, he says he's seen far too many minority communities shy away from help. "They feel they're gonna be judged," said Grace."They feel like they're going to be discriminated, and that's why it's hard for them to be able to reach out for help."