Integrating faith and prayer in mental health support
On 19th June 2024, Nishkam Healthcare Trust joined with the National Spirituality and Mental Health forum to host a seminar exploring the role of faith organisations supporting in a mental health crisis. The event highlighted the critical need for integrated, community-centred approaches.
Ben Bano, Chair of the National Spirituality and Mental Health Forum, delivered the first talk on the significance and history of the Forum. Formally set up in 2003, the Forum exists to promote awareness of the important connection between spirituality and positive mental health for people of all faiths and none. These messages are disseminated through educational events, sharing expertise and best practice in this area. As well as establishing local networks, the forum aims to create a regional structure to facilitate communication with mental health trusts, third sector organisations and faith communities.
Dr Daya Singh Chandan, GP and volunteer clinical lead at Nishkam Mental & Emotional Wellbeing Service (NMEWS) - a counselling service founded on faith-inspired wisdom implemented through talking therapies - opened by drawing on spiritual wisdom from the Sikh faith, specifically the importance of realising that there is One God, which connects all of humanity and wider creation, and that prayer helps to reconnect one’s mind to God. Daya also reflected on the importance of medical therapy in conjunction with faith and spirituality.
Daya also spoke about NMEWS’s significant impact on the mental health landscape in Handsworth, Birmingham. As an example, from April 2023 to April 2024, NMEWS provided 494 counselling sessions to 88 service users, addressing prevalent issues such as anxiety and stress. Patient Health Questionnaires (PHQ-9) and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Questionnaires (GAD-7) showed a 39% improvement in depression and a 38% improvement in anxiety among our clients. Rooted in values of compassion, humility, and love, NMEWS offers flexible, culturally sensitive support that fills critical gaps in traditional NHS provision, showcasing the vital role of faith-based organisations in community mental health.
Shuranjeet Singh spoke about setting up Taraki in 2017, in a mission to help address mental health challenges within Punjabi communities. During the COVID-19 lockdown, Taraki’s research highlighted significant mental health impacts, particularly around fear of the future, occasional low mood, and sleep difficulties. In response, Taraki partnered with Sikh Net and Basics of Sikhi to offer online faith-based psycho-education, engaging over 2,200 participants in 18 sessions. This initiative revealed a substantial need for faith-based mental health support, as many attendees had not previously accessed such services. Recommendations emphasise integrating faith-based support into mainstream mental health services and encouraging collaboration between mental health funders and community organisations.
Representing the NHS voice, Patrick Nyarumbu, Deputy CEO at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust, discussed the critical importance of integrating faith into mental health discussions. Patrick highlighted how collaborating with Nishkam has significantly helped to enhance understanding of the power of volunteering and selfless service. Whilst reflecting on the increased demand for mental health sessions after the pandemic, Patrick also noted the profound impact of faith on mental well-being, underscoring the necessity of connecting mind, body, and spirit.
Sarah Hayat, Team Lead for the Perinatal Mental Health team at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust, discussed how 1 in 5 women develop mental health problems during pregnancy or in the first year postpartum, including postnatal depression, maternal anxiety, tokophobia, perinatal OCD, bipolar affective disorder, PTSD arising from childbirth or loss, and postpartum psychosis.
Additionally, the mental health of babies is a critical focus, as their ability to experience, regulate, and express emotions and form secure attachments can be impacted. Sarah also discussed participating in the Nishkam-hosted Start of Life Care project, which has increased access to services for a wider population, offered support to more parents, and encouraged expecting mothers to reflect on perinatal mental health, heightening awareness of babies’ mental health, and empowering women to seek necessary guidance and help.
The seminar underlined the vital role of faith-based organisations in complementing NHS mental health services. Specifically, there was emphasis on the significant role of faith and prayer in mental services, and the evident impact this will have when integrated into wider support services.