Religion
Today’s topic is on religion and its effect on mental health. Depending on who you are, religion may be a very important aspect of your life and character. Looking into your religion one could predict your thoughts on a certain subject and even what you may do in regard to a specific problem. Because of the major impact that religion has it could either positively or negatively impact your mental health.
Let’s identify a positive impact. If you have a good relationship with your religion, you could easily view it as a source of power. Maybe even a driving force for your life’s goals. Because you attribute it with such positivity, it will transition over into your mood as well. For example, we hear testimonials all the time from people stating that even with all the bad in their life their faith allows them to think positive and they are sure that things will change for the better. Depending on the will of this individual however this could easily turn into a negative impact. Looking at the same individual claiming their faith in their higher power of choice will provide them with their goals, yet nothing happens for them. They could just as easily turn their back on their faith and look at it as a hinderance. At this point religion could negatively impact their mental status especially if they surround themselves with religious friends.
In this field understanding a person’s connection to their religion is very important. Like I stated earlier it could determine their way of life. But also it could determine whether they rely on it or if they try to go against it completely. The most important thing to understand is that each person’s experience with religion is individual and you would not understand until you have a conversation.
This blog topic is based off my own experience with religion in my own life as well as my client’s. I’ve come to realize that religious competence is a needed skill for everyone in the world, not only mental health professionals. Many people use their religion as a reason for their actions, both good and bad. Do your own independent research and make these decisions for yourself. I’m not here to say Christianity is any better than any other religion or that everyone should become Buddhists. I’m only here to probe conversation and hopefully provide insight into a question you probably never knew you had.