When does this become "practicing medicine without a license"?

You're confused, you're ill, you're looking for moral support, and then you get this:

Clergy Often Downplay Mental Illness
By Rick Nauert, Ph.D.
Senior News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on October 16, 2008

Thursday, Oct 16 (Psych Central) -- When people experience psychological distress the first source of help is often the clergy. Unfortunately, a new study finds that ordained leaders often deny or dismiss the existence of mental illness.

The study is believed to be the first to look at the experience those with mental illness have when approaching their local church for assistance with their mental illness.

In a recent Baylor study of 293 Christians who approached their local church for assistance in response to a personal or family member’s diagnosed mental illness, Baylor researchers found that more than 32 percent of these church members were told by their church pastor that they or their loved one did not really have a mental illness.

The study found these church members were told the cause of their problem was solely spiritual in nature, such as a personal sin, lack of faith or demonic involvement. Baylor researchers also found that women were more likely than men to have their mental disorders dismissed by the church.

In a subsequent survey, Baylor researchers found the dismissal or denial of the existence of mental illness happened more in conservative churches, rather than more liberal ones.

All of the participants in both studies were previously diagnosed by a licensed mental health provider as having a serious mental illness, like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, prior to approaching their local church for assistance.

[...]

In addition, Baylor researchers found study participants who were told by their pastors they did not have a mental illness were more likely to attend church more than once a week and described their church as conservative or charismatic.

However, the Baylor study also found those whose mental illness was dismissed or denied were less likely to attend church after the fact and their faith in God was weakened.

The results were published in Mental Health, Religion and Culture.

Source: Baylor University