The Quest

Abstract

Highlighting the importance to service users and survivors of being listened to in their own words and being able to tell their story as they choose, this article considers mental health and religion within the context of spiritual quest: the relationship between mental distress and spiritual quest; helpful and unhelpful interventions for the spiritual journey by religion and mental health services; cultures of authority in religion and mental health services which impede the quest. It also proposes that there are benefits to religious and scientific understanding if the stories of those with mental distress are properly heard and valued. (1) The theme of quest is prevalent in cultures across the globe. It is considered here from a perspective of individual quest in the context of Western society. (2) Within the scope of the article it was not possible to consider variations between faith communities, their relationship and attitudes to mental distress or UK mental health services or the steps made by some mental health services to be culturally specific.

Keywords:

• mental distress
• spiritual quest
• valuing service users own words
• cultures of authority in religion and mental health
• helpful interventions

Acknowledgement

The author is indebted to Fatima Kassam who generously contributed her ideas, experience and time.