To Taunya Tinsley, the problem is clear: black communities are deeply vulnerable to depression, anxiety and grief, but the place where so many African-Americans seek refuge -- their house of worship -- does little to address their mental health.

So for the past two years, Ms. Tinsley has been working to make Mount Ararat Baptist Church in East Liberty a place where black Pittsburghers can turn for help.

Modeled on a similar program at a black church near Baltimore, the Mount Ararat Baptist Church Counseling Center opened in September. It is the first initiative of its kind in the area, where Ms. Tinsley said black churches have yet to probe the potential they have to minister mental health.

She hopes she can make Mount Ararat, which has 8,000 members, a bellwether.

About 50 people attended the counseling center's first presentation last night, which addressed mental health and the black church. It was open to the public, though it was primarily intended for mental health professionals.

At the meeting, Ms. Tinsley proudly announced the counseling center's progress. Its staff works pro bono out of the church's basement, and is small: there is Ms. Tinsley, who is a licensed professional counselor; another counselor; a licensed clinical social worker; and one intern.

But the church intends to expand the center to serve not only its largely black congregation, but also the greater Pittsburgh community, and Ms. Tinsley is working with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center to certify the center as a health care provider so it can accept payments through health insurance companies.

Last night's session was anchored by a presentation by Carla Debnam, who created the counseling center near Baltimore. Attached to the Morning Star Baptist Church in Catonsville, Md., the Renaissance Center employs 25 people, said Ms. Debnam.

She said the stigma associated with mental health issues can be even greater in black communities. She talked about her uncle, a Vietnam veteran who had violent episodes every summer.

"We never called the police, we never said anything about it," she said. "We just acted like nothing happened."

"It's killing us to say, 'I'm OK,' " she said.

Ms. Tinsley said the affirmation that "God will take care of your problems" can discourage people from seeking help.

"We're not taking away from that," she said. "God will take care of your problems. But maybe by placing a trained mental health professional in front of you."

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