Religion is Back
Position Statements
World Psychiatric Association Position Statement on Spirituality and Religion in Psychiatry, 2015
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4780301/
​NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness
https://www.nami.org/community-and-culture/nami-faithnet/
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APA Foundation - Faith and Mental Health
https://www.apaf.org/our-programs/faith/
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Training Programs
For Churches
The Sanctuary Course (8-part series online)
Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries
Developed in consultation with mental health professionals, theologians, and people with lived experience, this eight-session study guide explores key mental health topics and examines meaningful ways to offer companionship, support recovery, and promote wellbeing. This course is designed for churches wishing to become places where individuals living with mental health challenges feel safe, supported, and a sense of belonging.
https://sanctuarymentalhealth.org/sanctuary-course/
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For Mental Health Professionals
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The Spiritual and Religious Competencies Project
The Spiritual and Religious Competencies Project was created through a $5.1 million Templeton Foundation grant to improve mental health care and promote human flourishing. The Project is involved in a 4-part program with have many resources and online training programs for mental health professionals to attend to their clients’ religious faith or spirituality in clinical practice.
https://www.spiritualandreligiouscompetenciesproject.com/resources​​
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Spiritual and Religious Competencies for Psychologists
https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/features/rel-a0032699.pdf
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The relevance of religion and spirituality to psychiatric practice | RANZCP
https://www.ranzcp.org/clinical-guidelines-publications/clinical-guidelines-publications-library/the-relevance-of-religion-and-spirituality-to-psychiatric-practice
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UMB: Spiritual Competency Training in Mental Health
https://www.edx.org/learn/spirituality/university-of-maryland-baltimore-spiritual-competency-training-in-mental-health
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At a Crossroads: Improving Counselor Training in Spirituality and Religion (pdf)
https://repository.lib.ncsu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/fc7817f2-421b-4730-94c7-5c5ba6519833/content
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Pilots
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Pilot Study: A Faith-Based Spiritual Intervention for Persons with Depression
Healthcare, 2023.
This pilot study examined a faith-based spiritual intervention for people with depression. The intervention consisted of six weekly sessions. Seven adults with mild or moderate depressive symptoms were recruited. A qualitative evaluation was conducted via focus group discussions, and rating scales were administered at baseline, after the intervention, and at the 3-month follow-up. The results indicated a significant decrease in the mean scores for depression (PHQ-9) after intervention and at the 3-month follow-up. The preliminary evidence suggested that the faith-based spiritual intervention was effective in reducing depressive symptoms.
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/15/2134​
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Christian FBI Programs
One program that has proven effective for Christian faith-based organizations is put on by Freedom in Christ Ministries. (www.ficm.org)
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Forgiveness
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C.H.A.R.I.S: A PILOT STUDY EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL EFFECTIVENESS OF AN INTRAPERSONAL FORGIVENESS MODEL THAT UTILIZES SPIRITUAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES IN A GROUP PROCESS AT REDEMPTIVE LIFE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Doctoral Dissertation, James & Carolyn McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University, 2021
Researchers working in this space
Fernando Garzon, Psy.D.
Associate Dean, Chair, Professor, Regent University
https://www.regent.edu/acad/schcou/facultystaff/vitas/garzon_vita.pdf