Higher Power
For many people, belief in a power greater than themself provides a sense of comfort, hope, connection, and belonging. Suppose this power is a spiritual being that is powerful, protective, loving, wise, ever-present, provides healing, rescues, gives direction, knows everything, and can do it all. In that case, it provides a very positive boost to mental health. During times of grief, illness, trauma, depression, anxiety, or any form of hardship, the individual has a resource of refuge available for support. They are never alone, always have hope, and are forever loved, provided their faith in their greater power remains strong.
Spirituality
People of faith may be part of a religious group or may feel they have what they need through using spiritual means of finding inner peace. Current spirituality trends involve self-motivation practices such as meditation, yoga, and mindfulness. Using these methods to achieve inner peace may or may not involve a relationship with a higher power. If it does not, the individual lacks the same support noted above when stress becomes a factor. Reliance on themselves does not allow for additional support when their own coping mechanisms fail.
Faith Leaders
Individuals who belong to a religious group often have members from that group they contact for encouragement, as well as a faith leader available for support. Usually, the faith leader is the first person approached. Church leaders represent persons of trust and authority with a “direct line to God” in the eyes of their members. As the suffering church member pours out their heart to the church leader, they feel accepted, shame relieved, misunderstanding reduced, and peace restored, just by confessing to the “stand-in” for their higher power. For the faith leader, it’s a significant burden to bear, but one most willingly accepted as their calling.
Impact of Faith-Based Practices on Mental Health
In general, the impact of faith-based practices on mental health reflects the following trends:
- Individuals who attend religious services at least monthly have a 22% lower risk of depression compared to those who do not attend religious services at all.
- The stronger the relationship with God or being religious, the lower the risk of committing suicide or having symptoms of anxiety.
- Individuals who frequently attend religious services have a 43% lower risk of developing a mood disorder (depression, mania, anxiety, etc.)
- Sixty percent of adults feel faith is critical to mental health.
- Sixty-eight percent would seek mental health care if recommended by their faith leader.
How Hospitals Use Religious Declaration Noted on Admission
Although many hospitals inquire about a patient’s faith during admission, the focus on what not to do often overshadows how to utilize this information for healing. For instance, they want to avoid giving blood products or anything derived from a human to patients whose religious practices forbid using them. In Middle Eastern religions and some Indian cultures, spirits play a significant role in illness and medical intervention. Gender affects who can provide care or make medical decisions based on other religious practices. While hospitals wouldn’t think of treating patients without this information, they rarely consider using a patient’s faith leader to help restore health.
Religious Rights of Patients
As a patient in any hospital, patients have a right to request that they be able to observe their religious practices, provided it does not interfere with their care or that of their roommate if they share a room. Patients should ask for someone from hospital administration who handles patient complaints or rights if the staff on their patient unit tries to deny them that right. Freedom of religious practice is their right, but they must speak up if they wish to exercise that option.
Faith’s Impact on Addiction Recovery
One area where hospitals recognize the benefit of incorporating faith as part of the recovery process is Addiction Medicine. Research clearly shows a relationship between faith and substance abuse recovery related to all types of addictions. A comprehensive study by Grim and Grim (2019) showed that 86% of faith-based drug treatment programs reduced the risk of drug abuse for adults. The National Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse (2001) reported that teens who did not value religious beliefs were 3x more likely to smoke, 5x more likely to binge drink, and 8x more likely to use marijuana. Adults who never attended religious services were 5x more likely to use illicit drugs and 7x more likely to binge drink.
Why Faith Helps with Recovery
According to an article by DeSoto Memorial Hospital Behavioral Health, Faith and Recovery: The Power of Belief in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Healing, the following mechanisms explain why faith supports recovery so well:
- Sense of Purpose: Belief in a higher power provides meaning, helping individuals navigate challenges and maintain hope.
- Community Support: Faith communities offer social connections, reducing isolation, which is a key risk factor for both addiction and mental health issues.
- Coping Strategies: Prayer, meditation, and spiritual practices serve as healthy coping mechanisms, replacing destructive behaviors.
- Moral Framework: Religious teachings often emphasize self-discipline and accountability, supporting recovery goals.
- Hope and Resilience: Faith fosters optimism, which, according to research, enhances resilience and recovery outcomes.
Why My Faith Helps Me
As a person of faith, I find that during periods of crisis, my faith keeps me grounded. It gives me hope and strength during times when I feel I have nothing left to give. As a Christian, I find assurance that, regardless of today’s difficulties, my future will be free from suffering and filled with joy. Furthermore, I’ll be home with my Lord and family, who were also followers of Christ at the time of their death. All these promises make it easier for me to face each day’s difficulties. Therefore, I can attest to the truth of the above claims from personal experience. Without faith, the challenges of caregiving would sometimes be more than I could bear, but with faith, I can meet them head-on.
If You Want to Know More About Faith
If you don’t know the personal benefit of a relationship with God, I encourage you to explore my posts and read my posts in Compassion Ministries, under the “witnessing” section. If you have questions or would like to discuss anything in more detail after reading the content, feel free to contact me through the numbers listed on my home page. I would be pleased to talk to you. God Bless.
