Religion and Spirituality: Assets or Liabilities in Recovery NAMI Conference Chicago, IL July 8, 2011 NANCY KEHOE RSCJ, PhD

Overview Part I – Situating the discussion Part II – Asset or Liability, Help or Hinderance Part III – Managing Recovery – what is needed now?

My Position

Our Religious Paths: JewishSeekers Christian Spiritual but not religious Muslim Hindu Native American Buddhists

Religion Organized system of beliefs Expressed by and within a community Within a structure that includes Authority figures Rituals Rules Oral and written tradition

Spirituality Personal beliefs and practices Meaning and purpose Connectedness Faith, hope, peace Respect for self and others A sense of something Other

Traditional Framework Body Mind Spirit

Historical Perspective Religion and spirituality have been ignored in psychiatric treatment

Religious perspective Training of religious professionals Historic wariness and or outright hostility regarding psychology

Separation of Church and State

Clinical and religious effects of this division Mental health professionals omit the exploration of religion Religious professionals are often insufficiently trained to work with serious mental illness.

Summary Historical, psychological and religious reasons for separation

Changing Our Perspective

Mental Illness: The Great Robber Involves a loss of meaning and purpose Results in poor self-esteem Creates a sense of isolation Engenders feelings of hopelessness Carries a stigma Affects work, relationships

Religious questions Has God abandoned me? Am I evil because I have considered suicide? Is my mental illness a punishment? What is the voice of God and what are the voices of my illness? Are there demons? What is the difference between depression and spiritual darkness?

Religion concerned with the Transcendent – the Other Religion struggles with ultimate issues and offers beliefs, practices, symbols and experiences to help the individual/community to navigate this journey we call life.

Religion at its best God representation The narrative The community The practices The rituals The mentors, guides

How Religious Traditions Hinder Recovery When they: deny the reality of mental illness exclude others ignorance, fear, judgment predominate the theologies they espouse about sin, grace, demons reinforce one’s sense of evil particular religious practices and rules exacerbate symptoms present harsh God representations

Study of 406 People With Serious Mental Illness Tepper, Coleman, & Rogers, % practiced at least one religious coping strategy (prayer, scripture reading, worship, meditation, singing religious songs, meeting with a spiritual leader) 80% used a religious activity or religious belief to help cope with symptoms or difficulties 65% perceived religion to be moderately helpful or the most important thing that kept them going.

What Research Tell Us Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, Vol. 30/4, Spring 2007 Fallott, R. (Ed) Spirituality and religion in recovery from mental illness. SF: Jossey Bass. Spirit of Recovery: Speaking from the Heart DVD Mental Illness Education Project.

Summary “Successful incorporation of spiritual approaches into clinical practice has the potential to contribute to the next quantum leap in the development of person- centered systems of care.” Russanova, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal “07

Gold Mining: Discovery of Rich Inner Resources or Fault LInes

Illustrations Beverly Bud Psychiatric/Forensic inpatient unit “Caring for the Soul Group”

Guidelines Explore, not impose Be curious not judgmental Recognize the complex interaction between faith and psyche.

How does your connection with your tradition help you cope with your symptoms? Do you have a spiritual practice or meditation practice? What does that consist of? What gives you hope, what brings you a sense of peace, of courage? When you are troubled or stressed, what helps you?

Recovery and Reform: The Road From Here

Stakeholders in Reform and Recovery Individuals. Families. Mental health providers. Faith communities.

Individuals Knowing what helps Sharing your story Becoming an advocate-educator

Family Members Family members may have divergent religious/spiritual beliefs and practices Respect for these differences. Importance of support both within mental health community and faith community Family to family – introduce the idea of religion/spirituality into discussion

Mental Health Providers Countertransference issues Create links with faith community

Faith Communities Need for education about mental illness. Outreach Understanding of the importance of faith community. advocates on issues of justice for people with mental illnesses.

Summary – Building Bridges Our Past Our Present Our Future

Contact Information Nancy Kehoe RSCJ, PhD 113 Belmont St. Belmont, MA “Wrestling with Our Inner Angels: Faith, Mental Illness and the Journey to Wholeness.” Jossey-Bass, May 2009

Questions for Discussion In what way has your affiliation with a religious tradition helped you in your recovery? In what way has your affiliation with a religious tradition been a hindrance in your recovery?

If you are a provider, do you address the religious concerns? If not why not?