Integrating Spiritual Care Within Mental Health

Background Integrating spiritual care within mental health and spiritual public health can improve patient outcomes, decrease anxiety, and increase quality of life. The use of spiritual care assessments by mental health clinicians can identify unmet spiritual needs and when collaboration with clergy is needed. Primary Study Objective This study aimed to show the extent to which1) mental health clinicians are trained in spiritual care and 2) mental health clinicians collaborate with chaplains and local clergy and 3) chaplains and clinicians use spiritual care assessments for mental health treatment. Methods/Design Mixed quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Results Six of ten (60%) participants agreed that spirituality has been avoided and neglected due to lack of spirituality and religion and training. Conclusion The study supports the literature review research that much of the literature on spiritual care indicates spiritual care can provide hope and motivation for people who suffer from mental illness. Therefore, integrating spiritual determinants of health and mental health care can bring value, meaning, purpose and well-being in spiritual public health.