WT Huntingdon Nov John Nicholson MH Chaplain Spirituality Recovery and Mental Health What do you think spirituality is? m b s

WT Huntingdon Nov John Nicholson MH Chaplain Spirituality Recovery and Mental Health The World Health Organisation has made many statements describing the need for holistic care and the integral nature of this spiritual dimension: The World Health Organisation has made many statements describing the need for holistic care and the integral nature of this spiritual dimension: Until recently the health professions have largely followed a medical model, which seeks to treat patients by focussing on medicines and surgery, and gives less importance to beliefs and to faith. This reductionism or mechanistic view of patients as being only a material body is no longer satisfactory. Patients and physicians have begun to realise the value of elements such as faith, hope and compassion in the healing process. The value of such spiritual elements in health and quality of life has led to research in this field in an attempt to move towards a more holistic view of health that includes a non- material dimension, emphasising the seamless connections between mind and body. Until recently the health professions have largely followed a medical model, which seeks to treat patients by focussing on medicines and surgery, and gives less importance to beliefs and to faith. This reductionism or mechanistic view of patients as being only a material body is no longer satisfactory. Patients and physicians have begun to realise the value of elements such as faith, hope and compassion in the healing process. The value of such spiritual elements in health and quality of life has led to research in this field in an attempt to move towards a more holistic view of health that includes a non- material dimension, emphasising the seamless connections between mind and body. (World Health Organisation (WHO) 1998)

WT Huntingdon Nov John Nicholson MH Chaplain Spirituality Recovery and Mental Health Mental Health is the emotional and spiritual resilience that enables us to enjoy life and survive pain, disappointment and sadness. It is a positive sense of well-being and an underlying belief in our own and other's self worth. (Health Education Authority – UK, 1997) Mental Health is the emotional and spiritual resilience that enables us to enjoy life and survive pain, disappointment and sadness. It is a positive sense of well-being and an underlying belief in our own and other's self worth. (Health Education Authority – UK, 1997) Spirituality is not necessarily religion, and religion can be seen as an aspect of spirituality Spirituality is not necessarily religion, and religion can be seen as an aspect of spirituality

WT Huntingdon Nov John Nicholson MH Chaplain Spirituality Recovery and Mental Health It is: All to do with your SPIRIT, your life force [as essential as your BREATH] All to do with your SPIRIT, your life force [as essential as your BREATH] What makes me, me and you, you – your uniqueness as a person What makes me, me and you, you – your uniqueness as a person What keeps us going when times are tough What keeps us going when times are tough Often to do with a belief in something or some being(s) other than ourselves and the material world Often to do with a belief in something or some being(s) other than ourselves and the material world What gives your life meaning What gives your life meaning Our connectedness to other people, nature, animals, sport and exercise, art, music and drama, the transcendent. Our connectedness to other people, nature, animals, sport and exercise, art, music and drama, the transcendent. Our life pilgrimage and quest. Our life pilgrimage and quest. How we channel our desires. How we channel our desires. Your creativity Your creativity A search for hope, harmony and wholeness A search for hope, harmony and wholeness What makes us tick What makes us tick A vocation, a purpose, what keeps us going – keeps us breathing A vocation, a purpose, what keeps us going – keeps us breathing

WT Huntingdon Nov John Nicholson MH Chaplain Spirituality Recovery and Mental Health Why are we looking at spirituality? Ethical – because it is the right thing to do, to treat people well and appropriately whatever their faith, belief, gender, age, ability / disability, sexual orientation or life stance happens to be Legal – because there is now a regulatory framework which forbids discrimination and therefore encourages the equal and fair treatment of all from any culture or background. Financial – because there will be greater satisfaction and better outcomes among patients and less stress and absenteeism among staff. Clinical – because there is a level of evidence that when people are well cared for they have a greater chance of health and, for example, their immune system appears to work more efficiently. From Fair For All Religion and Belief, 2008 in Spiritual Care Matters, NHS Education for Scotland

WT Huntingdon Nov John Nicholson MH Chaplain Spirituality Recovery and Mental Health In every human being there seems to be a spiritual dimension, a quality that goes beyond religious affiliation, that strives for inspiration, reverence, awe, meaning and purpose, even in those who do not believe in God. The spiritual dimension tries to be in harmony with the universe, strives for answers about the infinite, and comes into focus when the person faces emotional stress, physical [and mental] illness, loss, or death (p.259). In every human being there seems to be a spiritual dimension, a quality that goes beyond religious affiliation, that strives for inspiration, reverence, awe, meaning and purpose, even in those who do not believe in God. The spiritual dimension tries to be in harmony with the universe, strives for answers about the infinite, and comes into focus when the person faces emotional stress, physical [and mental] illness, loss, or death (p.259). Murray & Zentner [1989: p.259]: Murray, R.B. & Zenter, J.P. [1989] Nursing Concepts for Health Promotion. London: Prentice Hall

WT Huntingdon Nov John Nicholson MH Chaplain Spirituality Recovery and Mental Health Define spiritual practices: Ritual, religious and/or symbolic practices Ritual, religious and/or symbolic practices Pilgrimage and retreats Pilgrimage and retreats Meditation and Prayer Meditation and Prayer Caring for someone Caring for someone Loving someone Loving someone Deep Reflection Deep Reflection Yoga, Tai Chi etc Yoga, Tai Chi etc Cooking and gardening Cooking and gardening Engaging with nature Engaging with nature Contemplative reading, poetry, and philosophy. Contemplative reading, poetry, and philosophy. Appreciation of the arts Appreciation of the arts Group activities and sports Group activities and sports

WT Huntingdon Nov John Nicholson MH Chaplain Spirituality Recovery and Mental Health Recovery is a process, a way of life, an attitude, and a way of approaching the days challenges. Recovery is a process, a way of life, an attitude, and a way of approaching the days challenges. Spirituality is a process, a way of life, an attitude, and a way of approaching the days challenges. Spirituality is a process, a way of life, an attitude, and a way of approaching the days challenges.

WT Huntingdon Nov John Nicholson MH Chaplain Spirituality Recovery and Mental Health Recovery and mental health is… Recovery and mental health is… building spiritual resilience Developing the capacity to survive and thrive Perhaps through... Finding and living MY STORY Finding and living MY STORY For some, finding and living my story within a bigger story For some, finding and living my story within a bigger story Finding and enjoying BALANCE Finding and enjoying BALANCE Being enabled to live with lifes challenges with an open and honest mind and heart Being enabled to live with lifes challenges with an open and honest mind and heart Perhaps using the language - the vocabulary, little stories, and imagery, from a bigger story – those that help give life meaning, significance and purpose Perhaps using the language - the vocabulary, little stories, and imagery, from a bigger story – those that help give life meaning, significance and purpose Building trusting relationships and spiritual capital to spend on recovery (living with myself) Building trusting relationships and spiritual capital to spend on recovery (living with myself)

WT Huntingdon Nov John Nicholson MH Chaplain Spirituality Recovery and Mental Health If you want more, why not take a look at – If you want more, why not take a look at – [click on the Spirituality petal] [click on the Spirituality petal] Documents on Spirituality and Mental Health Documents on Spirituality and Mental Health The impact of spirituality on mental health - Mental Health Foundation 2007 The impact of spirituality on mental health - Mental Health Foundation Making Space for Spirituality: How to support service users - The Mental Health Foundation 2008 Making Space for Spirituality: How to support service users - The Mental Health Foundation Guidelines on spirituality for staff in acute care services - Staffordshire University 2008 Guidelines on spirituality for staff in acute care services - Staffordshire University Keeping the Faith: spirituality and recovery from mental health problems – Mental Health Foundation 2008 Keeping the Faith: spirituality and recovery from mental health problems Spiritual Care Matters: an introductory resource for all NHS Scotland Staff - NHS Scotland 2009 Spiritual Care Matters: an introductory resource for all NHS Scotland Staff