Spirituality and Mental Health

Spirituality and Mental Health

Spirituality and mental health are important and frequent topics of newscasts, talk shows, books, and magazines. Hardly a day goes by without hearing about research and treatment options as well as the unprecedented rate of violence, often due to mental health issues. As a bishop, I am part of an active community of trained professionals who counsel hurting people. While my training and relationships help ensure quality care, it’s my personal life experience that motivates me to help others. Clergy and counselors are not exempt from the price of admission to the human condition. Many of us in the caring professions receive the same type of help that we offer to others.  “A national survey of 250 female and 250 male clinical and counseling psychologists (return rate was 58%) showed that over two-thirds (69.93%) of the women and one-third (32.85%) of the men had experienced some form of physical or sexual abuse” (Pope, Feldman-Summers, https://kspope.com/therapistas/abuse1.php).

 The Role of Religion

The same is true of my own experience. As a result, I have had to learn how to deal with anxiety and depression in positive ways through counseling and prayer. While therapy has been a lifeline for me, it is the spiritual practices of my faith that have sustained me. Together, they have shown me that help is available, that there are trained professionals who care, and a God who understands and gives me grace and peace. Spirituality and religion are similar in ways that benefit mental health (Image 1B). You can read further about spirituality, religion, and mental health by visiting the very helpful online journal Skylight.org.The site includes a January 2021 article titled, “Does Spiritual Practice Support Mental Wellness?”. It states that “spiritual practice is tied to lower anxiety, sleep problems, stress, and cortisol levels.” In addition, a greater percentage of respondents who identified as moderately or very spiritual said their emotional and spiritual well-being flourished,

Defining Spirituality

Spirituality is a multi-dimensional subject. However, from a Christian perspective, it has to do with the essence and presence of God. The New Testament partially describes spirituality as the “fruit of the spirit”  (Image 1C). “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. ” (Galatians 5:22-23, NASB). Another dimension of spirituality is a spiritual power that enables us to experience healing and find purpose. Jesus said, “…You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses…(Acts 1:8 NASB). These are just 2 aspects of spirituality from a Christian perspective. However, in straightforward terms, I offer the following: Spirituality is an awareness of and communion with God’s supernatural presence, that positively affects our character and behavior, as well as our relationship with others, and a deeper appreciation for creation.

Defining Mental Health

Now, let’s turn our attention to mental health. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMSHA) provides the following explanation: “Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, and helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices” (https://www.samsha.gov/mental-health). The following is from the website ForbesHealth.com and gives us a quick look at some important mental health statistics.

Spirituality and Mental Health – Statistics at a Glance

Spirituality and Mental Health – The Role of Faith

The practices of one’s faith are more than ritual for ritual’s sake. For as long as archeologists and sociologists have studied the habits of human beings, they have encountered the use of physical practices to access the spirit world. Initially, one might ask how physical practices can access spiritual experiences. The answer, in a word, is faith or believing that there is something more to life than what we see and feel. Gallup.com reveals that 81% of Americans believe in God (Jones, June 17, 2022).  Spirituality benefits our mental health when our belief in God translates to a faith that we practice. When a person of faith yields to the urge to reach out to God by giving voice to their belief, the intangible qualities of the Spirit become more real. It is no secret that such a spiritual expression brings unexplainable peace. Like faith and love, peace is not seen but experienced deep inside the heart.

The Heart’s Little Brain

The human heart is often referred to in an abstract way to describe our innermost being. However, numerous studies have shown that the human heart has its own brain (Image 1E) The heart’s brain has approximately 40,000 neurons that are capable of communicating with the cranial brain in multiple ways (Alshami, 11/28/2019). A quick Internet search of “the heart’s little brain” will yield millions of references. Poets, writers, and singers often refer to the heart as the place where love comes from. While the philosopher Plato referred to spirituality, rituals, and love as “Divine madness,” millions more refer to them as a lifeline for their troubled souls.

Spirituality and Mental Health – A “Bridge Over Troubled Water”

In 1970, Simon & Garfunkel released the album and song “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”  As soon as it hit the airwaves, the song spoke to the souls of millions of people for whom the imagery described the need for peace in their “troubled” souls and minds. It begins with a description that many took to refer to God’s mercy in their time of need.

In Conclusion

Some believe that the brain is simply part of the human body and therefore dismiss the role of spirituality. It’s true that the unseen – whether referring to our mind and emotions or God – can be difficult for some to accept. But that is not a reason to dismiss it. Some spiritual practices can complicate the mind and emotions. In such cases, it might be time to take a step back. Believing in a loving and generous God who wants to bring peace to a troubled mind is not complicated. Even if it is only a wish or a hope that such a God exists. True spirituality brings blessings with it. A person with a troubled mind does not need a complex and oblique spirituality. Instead, when the practice of our faith or spirituality is uncomplicated, it eases the mind and calms the soul. Here are a few more of my articles on this topic:     3 Things Jesus Said About Trauma, Can God Fix Your Trauma? The Best Way You Can Deal With Suffering