Bridging the Gap Between Religion and Psychology

There are two conferences on spirituality and mental health scheduled for early next month: Northern California Mental Health and Spirituality Conference, June 1-2 2009 in Oakland, CA; California Conference on Mental Health and Spirituality, June 4-5 2009 in Los Angeles, CA.

The basic purpose of these conferences is to increase the awareness of the possible ways that spirituality can and has played in the prevention, treatment, and recovery of mental illness, and to promote interaction and collaboration among religious organizations, mental health services providers, those with mental illness and their families, and the general public in learning more about the issues and combating stigmas that are associated with both religion and mental illness.

Important in these conferences is that they are presenting methods that integrate spirituality into mental health treatment that are both client-driven and respectful of the separation of church and state. These meetings provide research to educate the public on the important role spirituality has played for many people in recovery from trauma and mental illness.

Since there has been a rift or barrier between religion and the psychological/mental health community in the past and continuing today, these types of conferences are significant in taking steps in the direction of understanding, cooperation, and collaboration in fighting mental illness. Mental health service providers often have misguided and uninformed stereotypes about religious practices, rituals, disciplines, and beliefs and religious organizations oftentimes don't have concrete ways of offering themselves as a friendly outlet or community for those suffering from mental illness. I trust that the more we can initiate conferences and experimental/experiential meetings like the above the more able we'll be to tear down the walls separating the integration of spiritual practices and beliefs into mental health prevention and treatment.

As a Unity student and chaplain in training, I feel that spirituality does play a significant role (if not a primary role) in dealing with any illness or problem being experienced in many people's lives. Addressing the spiritual dimension of the human condition is important because without taking it into account we're missing an integral part of the whole. Treating only the physical and/or emotional while neglecting the spiritual can be greatly detrimental to one's well-being since spirituality is an essential element of the entire human being.

However, it's important to recognize that not every individual wants to bring spirituality or religion into their treatment. Thus, the integration of spirituality into treating illnesses must be initiated and guided by the patient so that spirituality isn't being forced into their lives against their will -- this wouldn't be conducive to growth or well-being at all.

Unity, as a movement, has always promoted a "whole-person"-oriented method of addressing well-being and health and has a strong history of advocating the coordination and integration of the spiritual with the scientific (or vice versa). Unity communities have been involved in building relationships with local health professionals and internal programs focused on actively dealing with mental and other illnesses with a whole-person mindset and methodology. One prominent example would be the Unity Church of Hawaii, ministered by Rev. Sky St. John, but there are many communities and individuals involved in this kind of work.

Let's keep up the good work and further it by supporting and initiating conferences such as these that bring together the disciplines of spirituality and mental health.

"Activists and advocates have launched an initiative to further the understanding of the role of religion and spirituality in mental health. Conferences next month will bring clergy and mental health workers together to break new ground." Read more by Gale Bataille and Bill Berkowitz at Relgion Dispatches.

Faith and Mental Illness: A National Summit

This September 29 - October 1 there will be a conference about faith and mental illness. "Companions on the Road to Recovery from Mental Illness - Pathways for the 21st Century" is a national summit organized to help congregations and clergy prepare for effective ministry with individuals and families facing serious mental health issues in their lives.

Religious groups are invited to organize and send a team of laity and clergy to help equip congregations as centers of education, encouragement, service, advocacy, and general well-being. The Conference's general sessions will have an overview of community mental health care resources from across the country, give a basic framework and practices for mental health ministry, and offer a vision of continuing training and collaboration. Workshops and breakout sessions will be focused on exemplar ministries, specific resources for assistance, and special issues such as the needs of elders, returning veterans, rural mental health, addictions, and mental illness among those who are homeless or in prison.

This is an absolutely magnificent and greatly needed activity for educating religious leaders of mental health issues and preparing religious communities to become important centers that address mental health issues from a spiritual perspective. As more pastors, priests, ministers, and chaplains from all faith traditions become increasingly informed about mental illnesses and the effects of mental illness on individuals, families, and communities, the more healthy and happy those with mental health problems and their loved ones will be. It will also bring about a better understanding of the issues throughout the U.S. as to how our society can be most compassionate and helpful for those affected by mental illness.

Anyone who is interested in participating, visit http://www.pathways2promise.org/. This conference is co-sponsored by and will be held at The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (located in Belleville, IL, just 15 minutes from downtown St. Louis, MO).

Read more about the conference at the RNS.


(Above photo from Pathways2Promise webpage.)