News Release, 12 November 2007
Spiritual activities should be made widely available to those in contact with mental health services as part of an integrated and holistic approach to care, according to a new report from the Mental Health Foundation.
Keeping the faith says that spirituality - in the form of activities including art creation, religious worship and yoga - can support the mental health and recovery of individuals by helping them develop stronger coping styles and alleviate feelings of negative emotions such as anger, fear and revenge.
The report deals with the differing attitudes held by mental health professionals towards spirituality, in which religion features. Keeping the faith explains that whilst some treat spirituality with apprehension - for fear of overstepping professional boundaries or eliciting false beliefs, for example - other practitioners view spirituality as beneficial for those experiencing mental health problems.
Andrew McCulloch, the Mental Health Foundation’s Chief Executive, said:
“Spirituality remains a peripheral issue for countless mental health services, yet it is vitally important to many people who use them. Individuals with differing spiritual needs and religious beliefs use mental health services in the UK and services should respond accordingly. People with mental health problems have a universal human right to express and explore their spirituality - it is a basic human need.
“If, in the main, spirituality continues to be treated with scepticism, mental health service users may feel that mental health professionals deem trivial an important aspect of their lives. Spirituality is not an alternative to health and social care but it is important to remember the positive outcomes that it offers. Incorporating spirituality into an individual’s mental healing process does not have to be problematic - acknowledging a service user’s spiritual or religious perspective simply requires a willingness to engage.”
Keeping the faith includes examples of good practice where spiritual activities are already on offer in mental health settings and makes a number of recommendations for commissioners, and managers and clinicians working in mental health keen to meet the spiritual needs of service users.
The Mental Health Foundation has also produced Making space for spirituality - a booklet that gives advice and practical steps on how support and respond to the spiritual needs of service users.
Ends
Notes to editors
For media inquiries contact Fran Gorman on 020 7803 1128 or email fgorman@mhf.org.uk
For press enquires telephone Simon Loveland on 020 803 1130 or Frankie Toma on 020 7803 1126. Members of the press are invited to the spirituality publications launch at St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace in London on Thursday 15 November from 3 – 5pm. Please contact Simon or Frankie for an invitation.
The Keeping the faith report was jointly funded by the Department of Health and the production of the Making space for spirituality booklet supported by the Care Services Improvement Partnership.
The Mental Health Foundation uses research and practical projects to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems. We work to influence policy, including government at the highest levels. And we use our knowledge to raise awareness and to help tackle the stigma attached to mental illness. We reach millions of people every year through our media work, information booklets and online services.
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