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Abstract
Although spirituality and religion are potentially divisive and controversial, we cannot avoid discussing them. Certainly in mental health these topics are viewed with mistrust. However, in recent times strong evidence has been presented to suggest that incorporating spiritual care in treatment plans helps recovery, reduces relapses, and improves quality of life. Mental health patients have consistently identified spiritual needs as an important issue to them and several studies have found that spiritual care positively contributes to symptom relief and general well-being. Therefore, as part of providing holistic care, mental health patients should be offered a spiritual assessment followed by attempts to include their spiritual needs incorporated in care planning. This paper explores spirituality as a neglected dimension in mental health treatment plans. It will also highlight the importance of spiritual assessment, and highlight the benefits of including spirituality in treatment plans as part of holistic care for mental health service users.
Keywords: spirituality, religion, holistic care, mental health
INTRODUCTION
World Health Organisation's [WHO] (1946) definition of health states that health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Swarbrick (2006) explains that although controversial, the definition of health incorporates the spiritual dimension, which in turn, ensures a holistic approach in delivering mental health care. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins (2008) explain that the goal of holistic care is to meet not just the patient's physical needs but also their mental, social and emotional needs. They argue that holistic care addresses all dimensions of a mental health patient, including physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. Hilbers, Haynes, and Kivikko (2010) state that spirituality or religion is important for many contemporary Australians. For instance, nearly three-quarters of the population profess a religious affiliation, with rural areas and the elderly having a higher proportion. The terms spirituality and religion are often treated interchangeably.
Spirituality is described by Bellamy et al. (2007) as the central way of life which guides people's conduct and is the essence of individual's existence that integrates and transcends the physical, emotional, intellectual, volitional and social dimension. Religion on the other hand, is the organized outward expression of that connection and meaning; or simply the external expression of one's faith (Yuen, Lum, Skibinski, &...