Spirituality and Mental Health Care

The author of this timely study, who comes from a background in psychiatric nursing and hospital chaplaincy, is currently a lecturer in Practical Theology at Aberdeen. His achievement is to have written a practical and in part evidence-based study of the spiritual aspects of psychiatric practice, both as they are and as they might become. Whatever our own beliefs, we can afford no longer to neglect the spiritual dimension of our patients' suffering. This information-rich and clearly written book charts relatively unknown territory with which we urgently need to become much more familiar. -- The Scientific and Medical Network Review Please do not be put off by the rather lengthy title of this interesting book, it is an easy read with a lot of food for thought, on a subject that Society often takes for granted - namely the need for a sense of direction in one's life, and the connection between innate spirituality.If you are working with clients who have mental problems, this book will help guide and inform you if you are not (and I am not) then this book will provide you with a voyage of self awareness. -- Child Care Team Manchester Rochdale MBC Spirituality in nursing has been sidelined for generations - being reduced largely to ascertaining the patient's religion then informing the nearest chaplain. This book makes a very strong case for the relevance of a deeper knowledge and skills base in the field of spirituality for nurses and other health care practitioners as an integral aspect of holistic care. It offers much theoretical and practical advice (e.g. giving examples of specific mental health problems such as depression and schizophrenia and suggestions for tools for spiritual assessment). It ought to be used as a core text for those who encounter people with mental health problems and who wish (ought) to embrace spirituality in everyday care. -- Accident and Emergency Nursing