How to incorporate spirituality in healthcare

One way clinicians can incorporate spirituality into treatment is by using HOPE questions.

The HOPE concepts for discussion are as follows: H—sources of hope, strength, comfort, meaning, peace, love, and connection; O—the role of organized religion for the patient; P—personal spirituality and practices; E—effects on medical care and end-of-life decisions.

Examples of questions include:

• What are your sources of hope, strength, comfort, and peace?
• Are you part of a religious or spiritual community? Does it help you? How?
• Do you believe in God? What kind of relationship do you have with God? [3]

By using this tool, the clinician can better understand how spirituality can help or even hinder the healing process. Patients can then be encouraged to use their own spiritual resources to cope with both mental and physical challenges.

More formally, clinicians can choose to use tools such as Religion based CBT. Religiously integrated CBT uses the client’s religious traditions to replace depressive or unhelpful thoughts. Positive principles found in religious texts can be used to form more helpful and accurate ways of thinking that are contrary to depression.

Benefits of religiously-based CBT include but are not limited to the following:

– Reduces rates of depression in patients

– Patients are less likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors

– Patients are less likely to use substances

– Increased optimism and life satisfaction for patients

– Patients experience more acceptance of circumstances

– Reduces suicidal ideation in patients [4], [5]

Given these benefits, it is evident that holistically caring for a patient’s spiritual needs is likely to produce better outcomes and lead to a better patient experience.

References

1. Pew Research Center’s April 2015 report “The Future of World Religions: Population Growth

2. Koenig HG. Religion, spirituality, and health: the research and clinical implications. ISRN Psychiatry. 2012;2012:278730. Published 2012 Dec 16. doi:10.5402/2012/278730 3. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2001/0101/p81.html

4. The link between religion and spirituality and psychological adjustment: the mediating role of optimism and social support. Shojaee, M. & French, C. (2014). The Relationship between Mental Health Components and Locus of Control in Youth. Psychology, 5, 966-978. doi: 10.4236/psych.2014.58107.

5. Ebstyne King, P., & Furrow, J. L. (2004). Religion as a resource for positive youth development: religion, social capital, and moral outcomes. Developmental Psychology, 40(5), 703–713. doi: https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.40.5.703

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According to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, suicide was the twelfth leading cause of death overall in the U.S. Suicide is also the second leading cause of death amongst those aged between 10-14. Suicide is a growing epidemic, but what is said about suicide in the Bible?

 “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.” James 5:17 (AMP)

Elijah was one of the most remarkable men to walk the earth.  He raised a widow’s son from the dead. Spoke out against a tyrannical Monarchy. Got fed by ravens, However, as many people know, Often the next stop from the mountaintop is the valley.

 “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” – 1 Kings 19:10 (NLT)

“He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” – 1 Kings 19:4 (NLT)

Elijah had all the prophets of Baal killed.  When this happened, Queen Jezebel said she would kill Elijah, so, in fear, he left his servant behind and ran into the wilderness, where he sat under a broom tree and prayed he would die.  While Elijah slept, an angel woke him up, provided him with food and water, and encouraged him to take nourishment. Elijah ate and drank, but then he lay back down.   Instead of feeling victorious, Elijah felt hopeless, alone, and afraid. As James said, he was just like us. He was blessed, but he was broken. He felt defeated and depressed, even suicidal.   

Our hope is in Jesus

When we are depressed, we often feel like we are the only ones. We feel isolated. Our eyes are blinded to those around us. This story of suicide in the Bible reminds us of God’s kindness. He is with us in every hardship and will even provide for the little things like sleep and hunger.    “for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:10   This story reminds us that you can be Holy and depressed. Even the mightiest prophet can feel alone, sad, depressed, and lonely.  God can use you even if you have struggled with suicidal thoughts. The two are far from mutually exclusive.   

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  If you or anyone you know may be in suicide, mental health, or substance use crisis in the US, please call 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, now called the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.    

 For International countries, please find the suicide hotline in this directory.

 

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Check out our other blog posts to learn more about mental illness from a Christian perspective.

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The post Suicide in the Bible: Elijah the prophet with suicidal thoughts appeared first on CMHI.

Christians are far from immune to suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Even Elijah the prophet had thoughts of wanting to die; “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors” (1 Kings 19:4).  It has been well-cited that spirituality can have a positive effect on an individual’s mental and even physical health. One of the most important factors is the sense of community that religion can provide. In a Canadian survey of high school students, attending more religious services was protective against suicidal ideation. It is important to point out that the motives and circumstances that lead to suicidal thoughts and behaviors are complex. Moreover, direct causality is not definite. However, these truths are also echoed biblically. 

Biblical encouragement for challenging times

At the beginning of time, when God created Adam, He acknowledged ‘It is not good for man to be alone.’ The Bible says, ‘A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity’ (Proverbs 17:17). In times of struggle and adversity, the social support of a church can be a breath of air for weary people. The Bible emphasizes the importance of not neglecting the importance of meeting together. The truth is woven throughout the text that we need each other.

There can be a temptation for those who are depressed or going through a difficult time to isolate and withdraw. The Bible affirms, ‘Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up’ (Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10). As a community, it is our calling to look out for those that are struggling, to provide a hand to pull them out of the darkness into the light. As believers, it is our calling to keep ourselves routed and grounded in community. No one is immune from the struggle of depression. We need each other.

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Be sure to check out our other blog posts to learn more about living a mentally healthy life as a Christian.

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