Dear Editor, We are writing to highlight the importance of gratitude. In our experience as human beings and clinicians, we have found that the virtue of gratitude is not only indispensable to our own well-being, but also to the benefit of our patients. We have entered a time in history where anger, grievance, and ingratitude have embedded themselves in many cultures. We believe this can be overcome. From Aristotle’s idea of eudaimonia to Aquinas’s theology, gratitude is more than a passing feeling. Eudaimonia means “happiness,” and Aquinas believed that gratitude was a matter of justice toward a benefactor to whom we are grateful but also an ethical obligation. We write to propose that developing gratitude in psychiatric care is beneficial for well-being, social relationships, and physical health.1 Gratitude is more significant than just a passing feeling as it can serve as a motivator and help foster traits of humility, empathy, and connectedness. Modern psychology has adapted these views, focusing on positive psychology, emphasizing gratitude. Gratitude has been shown to demonstrate connections with well-being and the absence of psychopathology.2 A growing amount of evidence has demonstrated the relevance of gratitude to mental health. Studies investigating patients keeping records of their mood, symptoms, outlook on life, and other factors were found to have increased positive effects and satisfaction with life, and less symptoms of depression.3 Allowing patients to reflect and evaluate sources of gratitude within their lives can increase positive affect and transform negative experiences into more constructive and hopeful ones. Gratitude is not only a psychological phenomenon but also an important factor for spiritual health. There has been an increased focus on spiritual health in psychiatry, helping patients find “purpose” as well as relieving their symptoms. There is evidence that gratitude, regardless of where it may be directed, helps facilitate relaxation and enjoyment of life, leading to better life appraisals.4 Gratitude can serve as a method to help provide a bridge between spiritual and mental health, providing greater life satisfaction. During everyday psychiatric care, psychiatrists are able to nurture gratitude in many easy-to-implement and effective methods, such as reflective journaling, writing gratitude letters, mindful acknowledgment of small positives, and modeling gratitude within clinical teams. These tasks are also inexpensive and have shown benefits in both physical and psychological health outcomes, including improved positive affect and well-being, reduced stress, and better coping.5 Psychiatrists should take advantage of these simple yet effective therapies to help cultivate gratitude within psychiatric care, helping foster a more positive clinical environment. In a field often defined by pathology and loss, gratitude provides reminders of what is preserved and possible. The cultivation of gratitude in psychiatric care can lead to increased patient positive affect, improved well-being, and improved satisfaction with life. Ultimately, the integration of gratitude within psychiatric practice reinforces healing and resilience, reaffirming psychiatry’s humanistic roots and its commitment to whole-person healing. Author contribution Danny Salka contributed to the conceptualization of the article, literature review, and initial drafting of the manuscript. Victor Ajluni contributed to the conceptual framework, critical revision for intellectual content, and final approval of the manuscript. Both authors read and approved the final version and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.
Salka et al. (Fri,) studied this question.