Spirituality & Mental Health

How we see the world, our philosophical paradigm, our religious beliefs, and however we make sense of things influences our state of mind and health. A “sense of coherence” - feeling like we can understand and manage our circumstances - has been linked to better health outcomes of all kinds. How, and why, does spirituality affect our mental health? This presentation draws on a holistic model of mental health that includes physical, mental, social, and spiritual elements. Spirituality and religiosity are defined as they relate to mental health outcomes and coping. We also explore the research on the integration of spirituality in behavioral health practice for specific conditions as well as part of a general holistic paradigm.