When facing times of difficulties there is often a need to question what is happening and searching for answers can put a person in touch with the spiritual aspect of their life. Making sense of those experiences and finding meaning and purpose embraces the heart, soul and spirit as well as the mind and body.
Spirituality is about hope, strength, trust, meaning and purpose, forgiveness, people's values, love and relationships, morality, creativity and expression, belief and faith in self, and for some this includes a belief in a higher power (Royal College of Nursing, 2011).
Spirituality is not tied to any particular religious belief or tradition. Although culture and beliefs can play a part in spirituality, every person has their own unique experience of what that is; a personal experience for anyone, with or without a religious belief. Spirituality also highlights how connected we are to the world and other people (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2010).
We welcome your contributions to this section. If you would like to share experiences, practice and/or inspirational ideas please email Lanarkshire Recovery Network at LRN@lanarkshirelinks.org.uk.
The important thing is not to be bitter over life’s difficulties. We should learn to let go of the past and recognize that everyday won’t be sunny, and when we find ourselves lost in darkness and despair, remember – it’s only in the black of the night that we can see the stars, and those stars will lead us back home. So, we should not be afraid to make mistakes, to stumble, to fall. Because most of the time, the greatest rewards come from doing things that scare us the most.
From books to services, learning materials and talks, we offer a wealth of resources to do with spirituality and mental health.
In April 2012, eleven Lanarkshire faith communities became the first in the country to unite together and publicly pledge their commitment to work with 'see me', Scotland's national campaign to tackle the stigma and discrimination of mental ill-health.
The Spiritual Care Team provides spiritual support that is person-centred. The team is in contact with the different faith and belief groups in the area to ensure that particular religious needs are met during the care pathway.
For information on the referral pathway and contact numbers please download the attachment below.
