Personal Meanings and Spirituality in the Mental Health System - Essay Example

THE ROLE OF PERSONAL MEANINGS AND SPIRITUALITY IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM Introduction “Mental health is the emotional and spiritual resilience which enables us to enjoy life, survive pain, disappointmen and sadness. It is a positive sense of well being and an underlying belief in our own worth, and the dignity and worth of others” (NHS, 2005: 35). This definition of mental health includes spiritual resilience, which is also one of the most important aspects of recovery in the area of mental health and distress. Spirituality is the quality that goes beyond religious faiths, that gives rise to “inspiration, reverence, awe, meaning and purpose, even in those who do not believe in God” (NHS, 2005: 39). The dilemmas and challenges presented in the world of mental health are confronted by mental health workers on an ongoing basis. To facilitate positive outcomes for the service users/ survivors as well as for the mental health workers, a focus on personal meanings and spirituality, and a holistic model of care are considered vital. Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to identify the role of personal meanings and spirituality in the mental health system, and determine the effects of a holistic approach on both mental health workers as well as service users and survivors. Discussion As an important part of the survival strategies of people with mental health problems, spirituality provides feelings of belonging, community, support and sharing, which extend beyond religious practice. Faith communities may provide spiritual guidance, counselling and emotional help, and support for carers of mental health service users. The holistic healing process arising from religion or spirituality, gives calmness or peace which are crucial for recovery from the condition (Hussein, 2001: 1). Further, spirituality empowers personal inner strength, understanding of self as well as others, fostering both perseverence as well as forgiveness. On the other hand, research has identified the potentially harmful effects of some religious or spiritual concepts and attitudes. Some faiths attempt to explain mental health problems by blaming the affected individuals or look for sins in their lives to account for their problems, thereby increasing their sufferings through stigma. Religious groups may have a negative social attitude of fear and misunderstanding towards mentally ill persons, or may discourage the mentally ill from seeking professional help. Consequently, “some service users may have experienced stigma and discrimination within their faith communities” (NHS, 2005: 40). Resilience Developed from Spiritual and Religious Beliefs Religious and spiritual beliefs are key elements of resilience, and are important aspects of people’s lives. Religious involvement and commitment is related to positive outcomes of resilience and recovery from mental illness, substance abuse, and depression, which has been established by research studies. Moreover, coping with stressful situations is also known to be improved, when spirituality and religiosity play a part. Religion helps to answer meaning of life questions, and increases feelings of self-esteem often by providing a source of community and family (Glicken, 2006: 25-26). The reasons why religious and spiritual involvement lead to resilience are: there may be control of health-related risks such as religiously prohibited indulgence in smoking, alcohol, drugs or other avoidable habits. Further, social support, fellowship and bonds that develop among religiously affiliated people; having larger social networks and positive interactions; understanding of the coherence hypothesis or one’s role in the universe, purpose of life and courage to endure suffering, by the buffers from stress (Glicken, 2006: 30). The stress buffering effects and resilience help not only the mentally ill to recover from their condition, but also boosts the emotional or mental conditions endured by mental health workers while working with the mentally ill. Recovery by Overcoming Challenges, Using Personal Meaning and Spirituality The main purpose of mental health treatment is to impact successful and sustained recovery in the patient. The concept of recovery in the mental health discourse refers to the subjective experience of regaining control over one’s life, while embracing hope, empowerment, and social connectedness (Allott et al, 2002: 2). The ability to recover one’s normal mental and psychological health is important for mental health workers also. Recovery is a process, a way of life, an attitude, and impacts the way one approaches further challenges. It is not a straight process, the course may be erratic. Meeting the challenge to overcome the catastrophic effects of mental illness, developing a new meaning, and establishing a new and valued sense of self-image, integrity and purpose is important. The goal should be to live, work and love in a community in which one makes a significant contribution (Allott et al, 2002: 2). Having hope is crucial to recovery. By confronting the illness with courage and struggling with the symptoms persistently, the individual can overcome his handicaps to live independently, learn skills, and contribute to society. Identity, self-esteem and a meaningful role in society should be worked towards. Building on personal strengths and resources to develop supports and coping mechanisms enable individuals to become active participants their own mental health care. Recovery is also influenced by personal relationships, the physical environment and external resources available to an individual (Allott et al, 2002: 3). Recovery is an ongoing dynamic interactional process, in which the individual actively self-manages the challenge of psychiatric disorder. Recovery includes learning to cope with each day’s challenges, to overcome disabilities, to live independently and to contribute to society. “Recovery is supported by a foundation based on hope, belief, personal power, respect, connections, and self-determination” (Allott et al, 2002: 3). A Holistic Model in Mental Health A holistic approach to psychiatry is vitally required; and the signs of historic and creative changes taking place in this area are already evident in the United Kingdom. A transformation is being made from the current dispiriting approaches found in many mental health settings, into a fundamentally holistic, healing profession. It is worth noting that in no other area of health care do service users define themselves as “survivors”, a commonly used term in the mental health system. Since mental distress is not an illness to be eradicated, the focus should be on the individuals and not on the forces that are believed to be impacting them, causing the patients to feel targeted, attacked or assaulted. Thus, a holistic approach, acknowledging the interdependence between an individual’s body, mind and spirit would be required (Linnett, 2006: 40, 47). Religion is more frequently discussed in mental health nursing journals than in psychiatry or psychology journals. According to a research study conducted by El-Nimr et al (2004: 168), it was found that overall, nurses were more likely than doctors to feel spiritual care to be of equal importance to other forms of care. This would indicate that doctors focus on physical and mental health according to their training, but nurses who are trained for helping patients use spirituality, are more likely to take a holistic approach. However, despite their lack of training, some psychiatrists felt that they were the best people to assess spiritual needs, but this perspective was shared by only a few psychiatric nurses and general practitioners. In order to provide spiritual care to patients, nurses should have relevant knowledge to identify and implement the appropriate interventions that benefit their patients. Nurses’ connection with their own spirituality seems to be a critical factor in providing spiritual care. Future research studies should explore spiritual care outcomes, and determine ”if nurses’ spirituality is a prerequisite for providing effective spiritual care interventions” (Tuck et al, 2001: 603). Conclusion This paper has highlighted the role of personal meanings and spirituality in the mental health system, and determined the effects of a holistic approach on both mental health workers as well as service users and survivors. The positive development of resilience through religiosity and spirituality, the importance of recovery by overcoming challenges, gaining personal meaning and spirituality; and the holistic model of mental health care are beneficial for both the patient as well as the mental health care worker. All health care professionals associated with the mental health care system should be provided with basic knowledge and skills in the incorporation of religion and spirituality in their own lives as well as the patients’. Developing a specialized area of expertise will promote the use of spirituality in mental health care with appropriate interventions (El-Nimr, 2004: 169). Bibliography Allott, P., Loganathan, L. & Fulford, K.W.M. (2002). Discovering hope for recovery: a review of a selection of recovery literature, implications for practice and systems change. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 21 (3): 1-22 El-Nimr, G., Green, L.L. & Salib, E. (2004). Spiritual care in psychiatry: Professionals’ views. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 7 (2): 165-170. Glicken, M.D. (2006). Learning from resilient people. The United Kingdom: Sage Publications. Hussein, A. (2001). The issue of religiosity in mental health: are we forgetting the missing link? Psychiatry Medscape, 94 (4): 374-379. Linnett, P. (2006). Making connections towards a holistic psychiatry. Spirituality and Health International, 7: 40-47. NHS (National Health Service). (2005). Promoting mental health: a resource for spiritual and pastoral care. Mentality: Promoting Mental Health. The Church of England: Archbishops’ Council. National Institute for Mental Health in England. Retrieved on 14th March, 2009 from: http://www.scmh.org.uk/pdfs/mentality+parish+resource+march+2005.pdf Tuck, I., Pullen, L. & Wallace, D. (2001). A comparative study of the spiritual perspectives and interventions of mental health and parish nurses. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 22: 593-605. Read More