Chapel Matters
How does faith help with mental wellbeing? Research since the 1990s has consistently shown a compelling link between healthy spirituality and both physical and mental health. A strong faith, engaging in spiritual practices such as prayer and/or meditation, being part of a faith-based community, and being able to draw comfort from one’s religion, are all elements that predict health benefits. This is probably not surprising, since we are holistic beings whose spiritual, physical, mental, social, and emotional dimensions are all interconnected.
Some young people (aged 18-30) were recently asked how faith helped with their mental wellbeing at a Scripture Union leadership programme called “Beyond Experience.” Some of their responses are as follows:
“I was recently thinking about the awesomeness of this planet, with all its tiny details and yet the massive views it gives us, and this reminded me how God created created the world out of love and a desire for relationship with humanity … I am still getting a handle on this, but I find it reassuring for my mental health.”
“I have started seeing how the Bible can offer me insight into my own situation by thinking about the contexts of what was happening for the characters in those stories – this has changed the way I read Scripture now!”
“Being part of a Youth Group and being a leader at a Camp has helped me! In listening to others’ stories, learning from them, and being able to ask questions, raise doubts, and be open about my fears, I have been able to be myself in a safe place, connect with others who are on the same journey, and this has been beneficial.”
“I have found that by thinking about ‘we’ rather than just ‘me’ all the time, and what I can do to serve others and give to my community, my sense of wellbeing has improved! I am trying to put love into action, and this has given me a sense of hope and reminds me that I am not alone – and I can be that person for others so they are not alone.”
Finding ways to develop one’s taha wairua, one’s faith, one’s connection with the divine – or however you like to phrase it – is an important step in cultivating mental wellbeing.