Faith and mental health

Spirituality and religion can play an important role in your life. Religion and spirituality can help you to develop inner strength, peace, hope and optimism.

 

Although some religious and spiritual beliefs may be empowering, some beliefs may be unhelpful. They may lead you to feel guilty or in need of forgiveness. This may have a bad affect on your mental health.

General guidance on Faith and Mental Health

About Religious and Spiritual Needs

Over half of people who use mental health services find religious or spirituality helpful to manage their mental health issues. But often they find it difficult to speak about with their health care professionals.

If you want to begin thinking or talking about your religious or spiritual needs, you could think about the following questions:

  • What keeps you going in times of difficulty?
  • What do you want your life to be about?
  • What is important to you?
  • Has something happened to you which has changed your point of view?
  • Do you have a feeling of belonging and being valued?
  • Do you feel safe?
  • Are you being listened to as you would wish?
  • What makes you feel supported?
  • What makes you feel happy?

Talking about how you feel you fit into the world and your personal values may be useful for your mental health recovery. It may help you figure out your feelings, beliefs and attitude towards religion and spirituality.

But asking yourself ‘big questions’ may make you feel worse. Think carefully about who you talk to about your views and beliefs. You should talk to someone who you trust and who respects you. This could be a friend or a mental health professional.

Further links and resources for Faith and Mental Health

The National Spirituality and Mental Health Forum

They have a list of spiritual and religious resources and organisations that are linked to mental health. Some of these organisations are listed below.

Website: www.spiritualitymentalhealth.org.uk

Christian

Being Alongside

A national Christian-based voluntary association that recognises the importance of spiritual values and support in mental health.

Website: www.beingalongside.org.uk/

Jewish

Jewish Care

They offer different services for Jewish people who are experiencing emotional difficulties and distress or coping with mental health problems. Such as housing, rehabilitation centres, employment and support groups.

Website: www.jewishcare.org

Islamic

Mental Health 4 Muslims

They are an American website that give information about mental health issues that are both clinically supported and helpful for Islamic people.

E-mail: Online form on the website

Website: www.mentalhealth4muslims.com

Muslim Youth Helpline

The Muslim Youth Helpline (MYH) is a charity which provides faith and culturally sensitive services to young Muslim people in the UK.

Telephone: 0808 808 2008 Open 4pm to 10pm

Email: help@myh.org.uk

Website: www.myh.org.uk/

Sikh

Offering a culturally sensitive and non-judgemental approach to help you care for yourself and/or others

https://sikhyourmind.com/

Spirituality

Spiritual Crisis Network

They recognise the link between mental health and spirituality for some people and have support groups across the country.

Website: www.spiritualcrisisnetwork.uk