
Culture and Religion are significant constructs in the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of mental illness, and acknowledging culture and religion is thus essential to effectively engage with all people seeking mental healthcare. This study sought to explore the role of culture and religion in coping with mental illness among people of the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The study employed a quantitative exploratory-descriptive approach, with 101 participants taking an online questionnaire as a convenience sample. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The findings suggested that there is a link between religion/culture and how people cope with mental illnesses. The study's findings highlight the importance of public education initiatives that recognise and appreciate people's cultural variety and collaboration between traditional and medical experts.


The Influence of Culture and Religion in Coping with a Mental Illness by the Residents of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

ABSTRACT The landscape of mental health services for Muslim communities in England and Wales remains fragmented with many Muslims unsure how to access services that accommodate their religious beliefs and practices. This article reports findings from a pilot study of mental health services and Muslim communities in England and Wales. It explores the role of Muslim mental health organisations, charities, therapists, counsellors, faith leaders and community groups in supporting the communities they serve. The study’s aim was to establish a larger project to identify and amplify best practice across mainstream and non-mainstream mental health services in relation to improving provision for Muslim communities. Focus group data from key informants was analysed using grounded theory. Four analytical themes emerged from the analysis: “Knowledge gaps”, “Policy gaps”, “Working together” and “Moving forward”. Based on this, the authors argue for an asset-based approach to building collaborative partnerships between Muslim communities and mental health providers.

Mental health services for Muslim communities in England and Wales: developing a more collaborative model

To date the literature on religion and mental health has focused upon Christianity. We cannot assume that these findings can be transposed onto other faith groups. In this paper I focus upon Islam, Judaism and Hinduism and discuss understandings of mental illness and the relationships between central beliefs and mental health. I discuss implications for clinical work and psychotherapy.

Moving Beyond Christianity: Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Mental Health

Careif is an international mental health charity that works towards protecting and promoting mental health and resilience, to eliminate inequalities and strengthen social justice. Our principles include working creatively with humility and dignity, and with balanced partnerships in order to ensure all cultures and societies play their part in our mission of protecting and promoting mental health and wellbeing. We do this by respecting the traditions of all world societies, whilst believing traditions can evolve, for even greater benefit to individuals and society.
Careif believes that knowledge should not only be available to those with wealth or those who live in urban and industrialised parts of the world. It considers knowledge sharing to be a basic human right, particularly where this knowledge can change lives and help realise true human potential. Furthermore, there is substantial knowledge to be found in low and middle income countries and within rural and poorer areas of the world and this knowledge is just as valuable to the wellbeing of people in areas which are wealthier. This Position Statement aims to highlight the current position and need for understanding the role of culture, spirituality and religion in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
Globalisation has created culturally rich and diverse societies. During the past several decades, there has been a steadily increasing recognition of the importance of cultural influences on life and health. Societies are becoming multi-ethnic and poly-cultural in nature worldwide, where different groups enrich each other's lives with their unique culture/s.
Cultural transition and acculturation is often discussed as relevant to migrants and the need to integrate, when in fact it is of relevance to all cultures in an ever-interconnected world. It is indeed necessary to be equipped with knowledge about cultures and their influence on mental health and illness.
Until the early 19th century, psychiatry and religion were closely connected. Religious institutions were responsible for the care of the mentally ill. A major change occurred when Charcot and his pupil Freud associated religion with hysteria and neurosis. This created a divide between religion and mental health care, which has continued until recently. Psychiatry has a long tradition of dismissing and attacking religious experience. Religion has often been seen by mental health professionals in Western societies as irrational, outdated, and dependency forming and has sometimes been viewed as resulting in emotional instability.

Global Position Statement: Religion and Spirituality in Mental Health Care

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Moving Beyond Christianity: Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Mental Health

Global Position Statement: Religion and Spirituality in Mental Health Care