Awareness of Bipolar Disorder Among Clergy in Imo State, South East Nigeria

Religious leaders frequently serve as the first point of contact for individuals experiencing mental health crises in Nigeria, making their understanding of psychiatric conditions critically important. This study assesses the level of awareness of bipolar disorder among Christian clergy in Imo State, South East Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey will recruit 200 ordained clergy from five Christian denominations across Owerri, Orlu, and Okigwe zones using purposive sampling. A structured, researcher-designed questionnaire examining knowledge of symptoms, causes, and appropriate management of bipolar disorder will be administered, along with the Social Distance Scale to assess stigma. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and independent t-tests. Literature consistently shows that in South East Nigeria, many individuals with bipolar disorder are initially managed in religious settings, often experiencing delays in psychiatric referral. This study seeks to identify knowledge deficits that can be addressed through faith-based mental health education campaigns. The findings will be relevant to the Imo State Ministry of Health, faith-based organizations, and psychiatry departments in tertiary hospitals. Keywords: bipolar disorder, clergy, awareness, Imo State, religion and mental health