I truly believe that psychological services would be vastly improved by making an effort to understand and embrace spirituality, faith and religion. In an effort to reflect more of the spiritual significance, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV now includes evidence and discussion on, ‘concerns with the soul and spirituality’, which helps to legitimize the influence of spirituality.

Transpersonal psychology

Transpersonal psychology is concerned with the personal and interpersonal dimensions of living. Through study, it seeks to find the highest potential of an individual and help him or her to recognize, understand and unite their spiritual, cultural, social, emotional, personal and interpersonal dimensions. Transpersonal psychology creates a framework within which people seek to understand, interpret and make sense of themselves, their lives and daily experiences. In addition, they learn to identify and interpret their view of the world and represent it in narrative, symbols, rituals, sacraments and gatherings.

Transpersonal psychology includes the many different ways people experience belief in the origin of the world. It includes how people explain the meaning of life, suffering, death, re-birth and eternal life and/or awakening in this world or in another after death.

Faith Communities & Mental Health

While some faith communities can be welcoming, integrative and supportive, others can be exclusive and isolate people experiencing psychological problems. It is important that the distinction be examined and effort made to guide people towards having a membership with a faith community that offers acceptance and a sense of hope. Mental and spiritual wellbeing is dependent upon a belief that things will be better. Supportive faith communities are founded in the acceptance that spirituality is not an intellectual state but a rather a desire for personality integration that belongs to anyone and everyone regardless of mental state, race, creed or gender.

Having membership in a supportive faith community facilitates coping skills. In addition, it provides emotional support, lends encouragement, offers strength, reinforces resilience, offers hope, and gives life a purpose beyond the difficulty of the moment. Supportive faith communities can often prevent suicide and teach that deliberate taking of life is wrong.