Religious traditions can help with holiday blues, mental health experts say
RNS In a May, 2023, advisory, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called attention to the “public health crisis of loneliness, isolation and lack of connection in the US today”. In his plan to address this crisis, he listed faith groups as key players in the solution – “Religious or faith-based groups can be a source […]
Helpdesk: Rethinking screen time – a better understanding of what people do on their devices is key to digital well-being
In an article first published on The Conversation, RINANDA SHALEHA explains how researchers can better identify which digital activities are beneficial or potentially harmful…
Pastoral care: The past few years have left clergy burned out and exhausted. But that can change, say experts.
GENEVIEVE CHARLES, of Religion News Service, reports that having a clear plan for an intentional health or wellbeing practice can lead to flourishing when it comes to mental health for clergy….
US faith leaders key to providing access to mental healthcare – poll
RNS When it comes to mental health, “too blessed to be stressed” isn’t an altogether helpful catchphrase, according to the American Psychiatric Association. “You can be blessed and you can be stressed. That’s OK,” said Amy Porfiri, managing director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation. “We want to hopefully avoid that type of messaging, that […]
Essay: Why New York’s largest health system is turning to clergy for help
Dr DEBBIE SALAS-LOPEZ, senior vice president of community wellness and population health at is Northwell Health in New York City, says the mental health epidemic demands we break down the barriers separating hospitals from houses of worship…
A Sustainable Life: Simply looking at greenery can boost mental health – new research
WHITNEY FLEMING says, in an article first published on The Conversation, that new research revealed focusing on green elements can result in significant improvements in mood and reductions in anxiety…
Essay: How faith leaders can get a grasp on the mental health crisis
Clergy can’t solve every congregant’s mental health problem, but Rabbi NICOLE GUZIK says, in an article first published on Religion News Service, that they can be a conduit of information and help…
Talking about suicide: As Black church grapples with mental health, clergy are both subject and solution
AMBAR CASTILLO, writing for Religion News Service, reports that a new movement has taken on the taboo in many Black churches against talking about suicide…
Mental health: Clergy burnout is a growing concern in polarised churches. A summit offers coping strategies
GIOVANNA DELL’ORTO, of Associated Press, reports ahead of this week’s church mental health summit in the US…
Mental health: Climate change takes heavy toll in Bangladesh
MD TAHMID ZAMI, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports that as Bangladesh faces increasingly extreme weather from floods to storms, psychologists fear rise in anxiety and depression…