by Brian Warriner
I
know someone may question, how are spirituality and mental health connected? Moreover,
what does one have to do with the other? But the simple answer is that when
times get dark, such as during a mental health crisis, people look to their
spiritual/ religious background for solace. It is the practices within the
spiritual practices that have entered faith-based mental healthcare. Through
this blog, we will look at the concept and break it down. Through my research,
I found that this answered my question about the connection between
spirituality and mental health.
Faith-based
Mental Healthcare brings together two of my passions, spirituality and mental
healthcare. When it comes to spirituality, I enjoy meditation, prayer, and
saying the rosary. I have taught myself how to pray and chant with a Buddhist
mala—communicating with spirits, angels, ancestors, and saints. I love
collecting and reading the various prayers of the church, praying the rosary,
and lighting candles. I love learning about and hearing stories of the saints.
I also thought about the religious life, the habit, and a life of prayer and
service. But being strictly Catholic is not my thing. I have been ordained as a
minister with the Universal Life Church. It has allowed me to study and read
the bible and various other religious texts. To me, being spiritual means to do
good, help each other, then shut up and go home.
Exploring
faith-based mental healthcare is providing me with another avenue to explore in
my career in mental healthcare.
What is Spirituality and Faith-Based
Mental Healthcare?
Spirituality
is defined as the quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as
opposed to material or physical things (Merriam-Webster, 2019). There is a
difference between spirituality and religion. Spirituality to me is the
expression of my soul that is not bound by strict dogmatic rules. It is how I
see those I interact with as spiritual beings experiencing human experience. I
have my path and relationship with mother and father God. I do not follow the
dogmatic rules of Christianity, Islam, or Judaism. Personally, I am a Celtic
Witch who indulges in many traditions of majick. It is my affinity for
different aspects of both religious and spiritual life.
In an
article in Psychology Today, spirituality is defined as “an expression of the
transcendent ways in which to fulfill human potential, and this may include
religion” (Sallcru, 2022). There is an acknowledgment of how spirituality can
enhance the therapeutic process and contribute to improving one’s life—your
spiritual health matters to your mental health as well as your overall health. However,
I found Nuerolaunch.com’s definition to be more fitting for understanding Faith-based
Mental Healthcare. They define it as the foundation of your understanding and
movement through adversities, which can enhance your emotional resilience and
emotional regulation (Team, 2025).
Faith-based
mental healthcare started when psychologists started to reach out to religious
organizations to change the way religions and people of faith see the stigma in
seeking help for mental health disorders. Many religions find that only God can
cure you, and if you seek help, then you do not trust God to heal you. However,
faith-based mental healthcare comes in (Weir, 2020). For many decades, clergy
counseled their flock on mental health issues. Nevertheless, they never diagnosed
or treated any mental health issues. This is where spirituality and mental
health intersect. As a person who is dealing with mental health disorders and
is studying to be a clinical mental health counselor, and someone who is
spiritual, this is right up my alley.
Every
center that offers Faith-Based Mental Healthcare is different. However, the
overhead view is that they utilize scripture to provide perspective on one's
life and actions, incorporating mindfulness, meditation, and group therapy. The
treatment also combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy within the faith-based
activities. It is not just for the faithful; it is for everyone who finds
themselves on any path, whether you have been a lifelong believer, curious, or
a recent convert to any faith. This form of care is open to everyone.
Faith-based
mental healthcare does not replace medical interventions; however, it enhances
them with proven methods such as meditation, prayer, and many other activities.
You also have a therapist whom you work with on your mental health issues. In
fact, it is stated that faith-based mental healthcare is where spirituality
meets science (Team, 2025).
I
know that more can be said, but my research has taken me this far. I will be blogging
more about Faith-Based Mental Healthcare and (CBT) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
I asked whether churches have taken this up and offer this service to their
congregations. It has piqued my interest, and I want to explore this further
and incorporate it into my expertise as a tool to help those in need.
Especially ridding themselves of the stigma that religion places on seeking help.
Together, we can help each other break the stigma and seek the help we need.
References
Merriam-Webster. (2019). Definition of Spirituality.
Merriam-Webster.com.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spirituality
Sallcru, S. (2022, August 6). Spirituality and Its
Contribution to Mental Health. Psychology Today.
Team, N, Editorial. (2025, February 16). Spirituality
and Mental Health: Exploring The Intricate Connection.
Neurolaunch.com.
https://neurolaunch.com/spirituality-and-mental-health/
Team, N, Editorial. (2025, February 16). Faith-Based
Inpatient Mental Health: Integrating Spirituality and
Psychiatric
Care. Neurolaunch.com.
https://neurolaunch.com/faith-based-inpatient-mental-health/#google_vignette
Weir, K. (2020, April 1). Reaching Out to The
Faithful. American Psychological Association.
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