[Jennyanydots]

An interesting read:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/19/op...src=rechp&_r=0

[Travelinglady]

I hope more and more churches will take on the mentally ill as part of their ministry. It's a shame that some of them actually make things worse for folks with mental problems.

This was an interesting read. It would be nice if more churches would take this kind of view. I go to church and fear telling anyone there about my MI because of the way people can be there. Thanks for sharing.

[Skitz13]

So interesting. I have read a lot about how the psychiatric profession is starting to see that some kind of spirituality is very important in the recovery process of dealing with a mental illness. (Not that it's a cure).

It's just "my" belief that to treat any kind of illness be it mental or physical, you have to treat the whole person. Mind, body and spirit. They all go together. it's holistic.

I was baptized Catholic but did not believe in their views so I left the church. Then I got sick and had nothing that I was even remotely interested in. My thought being that there was know one or nothing that would let someone suffer so bad.

I started to recover a bit and new for awhile that I needed a spiritual connection, which I made. We all need "something" to believe in.

Although I'm still struggling significantly, I know I'm never alone and that makes a difference in my life. Make no mistake I am not a religious person. There is a great difference.

One of my favorite quotes are: Religion is for people who are afraid of going to hell. Spirituality is for people who have already been there.

This is not a forum to discuss our views on religious opinions, however I'm just saying that a lot of people need something to grab on to and I think psychiatry is starting to see the importance of some type of belief.

My care incorporates, therapy and my pdoc (mind) a nurse practitioner and naturopath (body) and native spirituality (spirit). Incorporating all three in my care has made a world of difference. If you're going to treat someone, you need to treat the WHOLE person.

Just my view on it.

[BipolaRNurse]

My pdoc is sort of an odd duck, in that he sometimes will prescribe a trip to the confessional and/or attendance at extra Masses (I'm a practicing Catholic) when he knows I'm suffering spiritually as well as mentally. He says that as a woman of faith, I need regular infusions of that faith to help keep me sane, and he's right---I always feel, and do, better when I follow that advice.

I've long thought about approaching my parish priest and asking him what he thinks about having a faith-based mental health support group once or twice a month at the church. The problem is, I'm afraid I wouldn't be a good facilitator because I'm sometimes at the mercy of my own illness and might not always be able to be in a leadership role. But I think it would be awesome to have such a group.....I just wish our parish nurse ministry were still active, that way I could get some support for it.

Anyway, I'm all for educating congregations about MI and involving parishioners in programs that help others with mental health challenges.