Faith and Mental Health
Dr. Harold Koenig opens a window on mental health, providing an unprecedented source of practical information about the relationship between religion and mental health. He examines how Christianity and other world religions deliver mental health services today, and he makes recommendations, based on research, expertise, and experience, for new programs to meet local needs.
Meticulously researched and documented, Faith and Mental Health includes
- Research on the relationship between religion and positive emotions, psychiatric illnesses, and severe and persistent mental disorders
- Ways in which religion has influenced mental health historically, and how now and in the future it can be involved with mental health
- A comprehensive description and categorization of Christian and non-Christian faith-based organizations that provide mental health resources
- Resources for religious professionals and faith communities on how to design effective programs
Presenting a combination of the history and current research of mental health and religion along with a thorough examination of faith-based organizations operating in the field, this book is a one-of-a-kind resource for the healthcare community; its valuable research and insights will benefit medical and religious professionals, and anyone concerned with the future of mental health care.
Harold G. Koenig, MD, is board certified in general psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, and geriatric medicine. He is on the faculty at Duke as professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and associate professor of medicine. Dr. Koenig is Director of Duke’s Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health and has published extensively in the fields of mental health, geriatrics, and religion, with over 350 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and close to 40 books in print or in preparation. He is also a registered nurse.
Acknowledgments / vii
Introduction / ix
Part I. Historical Considerations
1. People and Communities of Faith / 3
2. History of Mental Health Care / 17
Part II. Research on Religion and Mental Health
3. Religion, Coping, and Positive Emotions / 43
4. Religion, Psychiatric Symptoms, and Disorders / 82
5. Religion and Severe, Persistent Mental Illness / 113
6. Integrating Religion into Mental Health Treatments / 133
Part III. Faith-based Mental Health Care
7. Caring for the Emotionally and Mentally Ill / 161
8. Local Religious Congregations (FBO category A) / 173
9. Networking and Advocacy Organizations (FBO category B) / 185
10. Mission-driven Faith-based Services (FBO category C) / 193
11. Faith-integrated Counseling (FBO categories D and E) / 205
12. Non-Christian Faith-based Services / 227
Part IV. Barriers and Solutions
13. Barriers to Research and Implementation / 243
14. Identifying Possible Solutions / 255
Glossary / 277
Additional Resources / 289
References / 299
Index / 333
