Spirituality and Mental Health Spirituality Research Programme At Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Madeleine Parkes

Holistic Care Biological Psychological Sociological Spiritual

Local Need 1.2million spread over 172 square miles Inpatient, acute, forensic, CAMHS, community substance misuse/addictions, eating disorders, mother and baby, deaf

Aims – Research Strategy Develop a working definition of ‘spirituality’ Conduct pilot studies into the role of spirituality in recovery from mental illness. Attract further funding. Inform practice and enhance spirituality across the Trust Service-user involvement

“What do staff and service user mean when they talk about ‘spirituality’? Practical aim – we need to know what language we are speaking! Conceptual part: Literature review ‘Real world’ part: Staff survey Service user conversations – ‘on the ground’ Working Definition

“I don’t want to know about that god stuff” “Only God can help me” “What’s that all about?” I’m not religious but I’m spiritual” Typical Service-User Comments

Connection hope worth life death meaning purpose values humanity journey strength faith harmony place in the world belief peace wholeness

Overview of Pilot Projects – 2007/2008 Effect of integrating a spiritual care advisor in multi-disciplinary team Staff training pilot Methods of assessing spirituality in an inpatient unit

Projects 08/09 Personal Recovery Scale development Young people, psychosis and spirituality Faith attitudes to mental illness Professional attitudes to spirituality Occupational Therapy and Spiritual Care Staff handbook and training

What is spirituality? How important do you think a person’s spirituality (however it is defined) is in their life? Do you think a service user’s spirituality should be addressed at some point during their care? Do you feel it is part of your job role to involve a service user’s spirituality when delivering your service? Would you know how to address a service user’s spirituality? Does your personal view of spirituality influence your daily working life? Staff Survey

Trust Staff Attitudes

Is it part of your job? “if you are truly addressing the whole person, spirituality is an important aspect and can be very informative and helpful in helping them make sense of their experiences and recovery” “As a psychologist it is important to address this issue if it forms a part of the patients world view” “yes - but I'm not sure how”

Job Role/ Profession YesNoMaybeD/K Total Psychologist (clinical and assistant) Nurse (CPN/Trainee) Occupational Therapist Social worker “Is it part of your job?” by top 4 professions

Staff handbook and Training Service-user led design and development Training to roll out to all clinical staff Both address: What is spirituality? Making a spiritual assessment Referring to spiritual care/chaplaincy team Maintaining boundaries Reflecting on staff’s own sense of spirituality

Staff interested but unsure of practicalities Importance of boundaries 2 tiers Holistic care is valued amongst most people in various professions Learning points:

Personal Recovery Scale Service-user design Existential and spiritual issues addressed Identifies sources that may aid holistic recovery Psychometric validity and reliability Compared existential well-being with recovery

I feel a sense of direction and purpose I can love myself I feel thankful for my life I feel valued and accepted My life is meaningless I feel I have lost my sense of identity I believe in my ability to overcome problems I feel guilty about the way things are

Recovery  Spiritual Well-Being 

Sikh Community - Soho Road Raising awareness in specific faith group Survey of current attitudes and ideas Conference: –What is mental illness, medications –Alternative therapies –Pathways Post-conference presence

Genetic Karma Evil eye Trauma Possession Fate/God’s plan Drugs/alcohol Prayer Ritual healing Visiting temple/church Medication Complimentary therapies Talking therapies CAUSESTREATMENT

Future Work Funding bid for future research Collection of more data for Personal Recovery Scale Study Working closely with other faith communities

Connection hope worth life death meaning purpose values humanity journey strength faith harmony place in the world belief peace wholeness