It is estimated that approximately 1 in 4 people worldwide will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, with approximately 1 billion people facing a mental illness at any given time. Whether we’re talking about anxiety, depression, loneliness, or other diagnosable illnesses, it’s clear that individuals, families, and communities are deeply affected by mental health crises. But it’s also an opportunity to learn more about what affects health and how our health care system can better meet the needs of patients.
Given that approximately 70% of people with mental illness do not receive the treatment they need, it is clear that there is a disconnect in mental health access and communication. And one area where this has proven to be exceptionally inconsistent, if not completely divisive, is between religion/spirituality and medicine.
According to the Pew Research Center, 84% of the world’s population identifies with a religious group in some way. And according to a recent Gallup report, Faith and health: the global connection between spirituality and health There are ways spirituality can help address the global mental health crisis. In fact, an analysis of 10 years of Gallup global polling data from more than 140 countries and nearly 1.5 million people shows a strong link between religiosity and happiness. The study concludes how spirituality (a broader term than religious identification) can help address mental health needs: You’ll end up happier than someone who doesn’t make that kind of dedication. ”
Although there are conflicting interpretations based on religiosity, the final conclusion is that spirituality is a tool for happiness.
The relationship between spirituality and wellness is clear but complex
Although we often hear about how age, gender, geography, and race influence the decisions of healthcare providers and patients, religion remains a taboo subject. Even though most people believe in both science and a type of spirituality, there are fundamental differences in how and why people seek their treatment and follow recommended treatment plans. . And many of those decisions are based on beliefs.
Faith plays an important role in how people think about their personal sense of purpose, which may lead to lower rates of depression and anxiety. In a systematic review, Harold G. Koenig of Duke University found that religiosity and spirituality were associated with “optimism, self-esteem, hope, coping with adversity, and lower levels of depression, anxiety, suicidality, and psychotic disorders.” We found that “positively associated with
But when it comes to self-reporting mental health concerns or openly discussing them with care providers, more religious people are probably more likely to be You must realize that you may not communicate much about emotional issues.
We live in a complex society where ideologies are often not aligned, and religious traditions and teachings often conflict with modern scientific and medical practices, especially in high-income countries like the United States. It’s obvious. You only have to pay attention to the current reproductive rights debate to see how far the opposition stands. Or the many examples in recent history where religious teachings have failed to benefit patients or actively misinformed them about the role of vaccination. That said, it is generally agreed that faith and spirituality are the foundations on which people search for meaning and often find community, and distinguish between the two, at least when it comes to mental health. It proves that we may have more in common than we do.
One way of thinking is that for some people, physics is physics and chemistry is chemistry, and that any belief system can be used to gain insight into how and at what rate everything happens on Earth. This means that there is no need to apply it either. But for those who are religious or spiritual, there is another layer. Give meaning to information. And this is where things get complicated. This is because in this field, behavior cannot be explained with numbers and data. Because often what is best for the patient is what their heart, mind, and community tell them is best.
Examples of cultural competency
Good care systems understand that individual beliefs and practices should be respected as well as other contextual determinants. Just as faith leaders and communities should respect the medical choices made by those close to them. For example, end-of-life care is one area in which patients and their families daily manage the balance between care delivery and religious preferences as they make difficult decisions. As the population ages, this balance will become increasingly important for quality care.
Additionally, faith-based leaders have proven to be a major source of trust within their communities. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, spiritual leaders have been shown to have a significant impact on community behavior and vaccine uptake. Cultural competency regarding spirituality is therefore essential for public health communication and outreach.
A recent Lancet Global Health editorial said that bridging the gap shows that “religion and medicine share common values of justice, human dignity, and care for people in need.” There is. The editorial went on to cite examples of trust-building exercises that led to important partnerships that leveraged faith-based leaders in providing care and resulted in significant changes in behavior.
Mutual respect between people in the health community and the spiritual community not only provides better support for decision-making, but also affects the economy of one person at a time. Anxiety and depression alone cost the world’s workers an estimated $1 trillion a year in lost productivity, reduce family incomes, and increase healthcare costs for families and society.
It is often easier to look for differences than to look for similarities. But by showing respect to those who practice their faith, everyone in the care ecosystem wins. Whether it’s asking for meditation or refusing life-saving surgery. In both cases, understanding and respecting the patient’s wishes not only ensures informed consent, but also reduces anxiety, improves coping, and builds greater trust within the medical field. Increases patient well-being. Mental health care and spirituality may be a partnership made in heaven.
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