![Sample our Health and Social Care journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5938/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Health-Social-Care.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
Addressing spirituality is part of holistic care. Spirituality is hard to define and may be confused with religion. Thus, it may be neglected by practitioners in mental healthcare. This study explores the views of mental health practitioners about approaches to spirituality in their practice and the perceived utility of the concepts of ‘Spiritually Competent Practice’ and ‘Availability and Vulnerability’ for integrating spirituality into practice. It confirms the need for more education in this area and suggests ways to include spirituality in Mental Health Care. Survey responses were gathered from 104 clinical staff within a mental health trust (8% response rate) in 2018. Thirteen participants were also interviewed. Data were analysed thematically using template analysis with NVivo software. Participants identified that they wanted to integrate spirituality into practice and found the concepts of Spiritually Competent Practice and Availability and Vulnerability useful. Spiritually Competent Practice enabled practitioners to be clearer about addressing spirituality in practice; embracing Availability and Vulnerability enabled truly holistic care to be offered. These concepts provided ways of understanding the conditions and personal qualities helpful in providing spiritual care to mental health service users. Implications for practice are that Spiritually Competent Practice and Availability and Vulnerability may be helpful concepts in integrating spirituality into practice in mental healthcare.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Correction Statement
This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Melanie Rogers
All the researchers are members or associates of the Spirituality Special Interest Group at the University of Huddersfield, UK.
Melanie Rogers is a University Teaching Fellow for Advanced Practice and Spirituality, and an Advanced Nurse Practitioner at the University of Huddersfield, UK.
John Wattis
John Wattis is a Visiting Professor of Psychiatry for Older People at the University of Huddersfield, UK.
Rachel Moser
Rachel Moser is a Research and Development Manager at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
Rachel Borthwick
Rachel Borthwick is a Researcher Facilitator at the University of Kent, UK.
Phil Waters
Phil Waters is the Creative Minds Strategic Lead in Wakefield, UK.
Rose Rickford
Rose Rickford is a PhD Student at the University of York, UK.