Spirituality* has remained for too long a neglected dimension of mental health care. Psychiatry has often been suspicious, if not dismissive, of religion* in the past. There is a growing body of evidence that challenges mental health services and others to pay attention to this part of human experience and no longer marginalise people for whom their spirituality, however they express it, is an essential part of who they are.
This Forum is committed to promoting spiritual wellbeing which may be integral to an individual’s recovery from mental ill health. Interactions including assessment, treatment and any therapeutic conversation should recognise this potential. We feel passionately that people should be responded to as individuals with diverse needs and distinct lives and beliefs rather than being stigmatised. We invite all people of good will to join us in addressing this challenge.
(*Spirituality may not be religious but religion should be spiritual.)
The Forum membership includes mental health service users, carers, workers, faith community leaders and representatives. We seek to learn from each other, to develop working relationships and to share good practice in spirituality and mental health care. We intend to conduct our meetings in the spirit of gentle curiosity with courage and compassion.
 SIMHNE News in Brief |