Spirituality May Be Underused Tool in Treating Mental Illness
New research suggests spirituality may offer benefits for people with mental health issues,
but people may encounter barriers when reaching out for this help.
Investigators from the University of Southern California School of Social Work discovered
that spirituality is often an underused resource in urban communities.
To resolve this shortcoming, and to cultivate spiritual resources that might have therapeutic
value, associate professor Dr. Ann Marie Yamada worked with the Los Angeles County Department
of Mental Health (LAC-DMH) to design and test a new spirituality-based treatment program.
�Stigma prevents many individuals experiencing schizophrenia or bipolar disorders from seeking
spiritual or religious support from a faith-based community organization.
It is difficult for some people to find a community where they feel comfortable and
accepted,� said Yamada, co-author of the study with Dr. Andew Subica of the School
of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside.
�These concerns may not be shared with mental health providers as they may perceive spiritual
needs are not appropriate to discuss.�
This stigma creates a gap when patients are unable to find spiritual support from either
a health care provider or religious community.
�Within the urban community served by LAC-DMH, spirituality has been an underutilized resource.
It is a great tool for addressing the health and recovery needs of the largely African-American
and Latino patients served by the participating LAC-DMH agency,� Yamada said.
It is essential, she noted, that investigators understand the significance of spirituality
and religion in these cultures and respectfully acknowledge the philosophical differences
in practices between both groups.
In the program, �The Spiritual Strategies for Psychosocial Recovery,� spirituality
is used as a therapeutic tool to teach practical coping skills.
�After learning that there are few well-documented interventions that incorporate spirituality,
Dr. Subica and I wanted to take the best practices already being used and add greater emphasis
on coping skills that have been shown to be effective,� said Yamada.
Participants attended group therapy sessions that included breathing exercises, goal setting
training, and group discussion to build both social and coping skills.
When people find the strength to improve their coping skills, they are more likely to adhere
to their treatment plans and see themselves as active participants in their health and
recovery.
�When people find the strength to improve their coping skills, they are more likely
to adhere to their treatment plans and see themselves as active participants in their
health and recovery,� Yamada said.
Yamada hopes more innovative providers like LAC-DMH will explore the potential of spirituality-infused
treatments.
Many of the LAC-DMH-affiliated wellness and recovery centers already offer some type of
spirituality-related activities that involve meditation, mindfulness or support groups.
It�s just a matter of time, given that 80 percent of the adults sampled across California
community mental health centers support integration of spirituality into mental health services,
she said.
The study included a small pool of participants, but early findings are promising and participants
were consistently satisfied with the therapy sessions.
Many patients described mood improvements and a feeling of empowerment and control over
their conditions.
�I like having these tools because it helps me feel less tense,� said one woman in the
program.
�During the week when we don�t have group, I can use them.�
The success of the program suggests that health care providers and spiritual leaders could
work together to address the needs of their communities.
�Involvement of both clinicians and religious leaders is one way to reduce the stereotypes
held by both professions,� Yamada said.
�These stereotypes serve as barriers to developing mental health services that integrate
spirituality effectively.�
Understanding that spirituality can be a resource for many individuals, mental health providers
are better equipped to offer comprehensive treatment.
�Ultimately, this intervention is about strengthening coping skills,� she said.
�Spirituality enhances personal hope through connection to a greater power that could be
religious, but is fundamentally defined in whatever way has meaning to each participant.�
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