Faith & Spirituality

Faith and spirituality can benefit mental health, help those struggling with substance misuse, and can be an asset in youth substance use prevention. Benefits of faith and/or spirituality include:

• providing a sense of meaning and purpose in life;
• offering a sense of community/social connection;
• guidance and lessons on values such as charity, forgiveness, and compassion. 

Read more about the mental health benefits of religion and spirituality.

Resources

• Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers
• The Blue Dove Foundation
• Compassion in Action: A Guide for Faith Communities Serving People Experiencing Mental Illness and Their Caregivers
• Early Serious Mental Illness Guide for Faith Communities
• Faith-Based Community Engagement - SAMHSA
• Hope: A Guide for Faith Leaders to Help Prevent Youth Suicide
• Interfaith Network on Mental Illness (check out the "for clergy" link)
• Maristan
• Mental Health Guide for Faith Leaders - American Psychiatric Association
• Mental Health Ministries
• Muslim Mental Health and Islamic Psychology at Stanford
• NAMI FaithNet
• Naseeha Mental Health
• Practicing Connectedness: Youth Mental Health and Well-being in Faith and Community Settings
• Religiously-Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (RCBT) Manuals and Workbooks
• Substance Abuse Toolkit - United Church of Christ Mental Health Network
• Understanding Spirituality and Mental Health - McLean
• Wise Congregation Toolkit - United Church of Christ Mental Health Network

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