Department of Health - Health Education Authority (HEA)
The concept of the Forum was initially discussed in the first half of the 1990s The idea grew out of an HEA (Health Education Authority) publication committee which produced the book "Promoting Mental Health - The Role of Faith Communities Jewish and Christian Perspectives" This was the first time that a Government Agency had worked together with religious organisations and funded a publication concerned with mental health. The book edited by Dr Lynne Friedli was published on World Mental Health Day October 1999.
HEA Closure and creation of NICE and NIMHE
With the closure of the HEA in the following year 2000, meetings of the group continued to be organised by Mentality the mental health promotion agency at the offices of the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health which acted as its secretariat. The title given to the group was the Spirituality and Mental Health Forum as it was increasingly concerned with the holistic and spiritual dimension to mental well-being.
Religion, Spirituality and Mental Health
A report on the group's enquiries of clergy made in 1997, had proved the lack of understanding of mental illness let alone the importance of spirituality as an important component part in a person's recovery programme. Cultural misunderstandings between patients, their families, the clergy, chaplains and the clinicians were causing and continue to cause frustration in the provision of the caring services. Professional bias combined with the fragmentation of mental health services in certain areas continue to deter many from accessing appropriate care. One of the questions debated was how could the Forum and its concerned members successfully challenge the existing traditional medical, psychological and psychiatric approaches to mental illness, assist in satisfactorily influencing NHS mental health service providers and bring about change. There was a great need to develop mental health services that understood and respected religious and cultural differences.
Move from the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health
For three years the Forum was administered by Mentality under the auspices of the Sainsbury Centre until December 2003 by which time the membership of the Forum had grown to some fifty participants. The secretariat was then taken over by the Jewish Assciation for Mental Illness. Thereafter members/participants in the Forum grew to over a thousand which brought about the need for incorporation as a company limited by guarantee, and its independent charitable status.
Independent Registered Multi-faith Charity
As an independent charity meetings have since taken place every two to three months and are held at different secular, religions/faiths premises. Presentations are made by service providers, carers, and users of services. The meetings allow exchanges between representatives of the various faiths and beliefs, and those of no particular religious affiliation; mental health professionals, service users, carers, chaplains, educators and others who attend from all parts of the Country. All who participate gain much from their involvement.
Multi-faith and Inter-faith Work
The need to improve understanding and harmony between the different faith communities and those of no faith was well recognised and this was considered an important part of the Forum's remit. The Forum facilitates the necessary inter-action to take place, whilst at the same time providing material from presentations and debate for the further study of spirituality in medical schools, universities and other educational and training establishments.
Spirituality, the Life-force of Human Existence
Evident through many a Forum debate, it would seem that today for most people of all faiths, even through prayer, the line of communication with God, or the "Life Force" has become distant and unapproachable. Present day society's rational intellect has caused many to reject simplistic concepts of "God" or the "Life Force". Rather than trying to find a mature, realistic adult relationship with that which appears to exercise such control over our lives, most people just find it easier to ignore or reject God's, his, her or its, existence. In fact a large number of the members of our secular society would be embarrassed to discuss their true beliefs. The Forum recognises the need to respect ethical codes of practice, the importance of inter-faith harmonious relationships, the need for the expression of love, sympathy and compassion, to counter dismay, and above all, to give hope to service users.
To some extent spirituality shortens the distance between ourselves and whomsoever or whatsoever created us, it is a form of telecommunication between our minds, bodies and "God" or that "Life Force". Whatever interpretation one may place on it, spirituality is the breath of life within us, life's energy which enables us to see and enjoy things, and gives us the strength to overcome life's difficulties.
In Service to Those in Need
The main purpose of the Spirituality Forum is to benefit service users of mental health services from all ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds and those of no particular religion in the UK and to promote a more holistic approach to their recovery. Coupled with this prime motive, to support carers and all engaged in the provision of mental health services.
Chaplaincy
All faith communities have their own specific needs and there is a very important role that their chaplains and lay chaplains have to play in supporting people through their periods of mental distress. The Forum provides a centre for debate and the essential exchange of views. The Mental Health Chaplains Group affords chaplains with further understanding of spirituality and support. The Forum is where chaplains can also hear first hand accounts and case studies from around the Country from service users, carers and mental health professionals; where they can be informed and where they can inform others so as to ensure a better understanding of the needs, and the important role which chaplains play in support of other members of the mental health teams.
Forum's Growth - Supporting NHS - NIMHE/CSIP
Since the Department of Health closed down the HEA and created NIMHE in 2000, the Forum has become a good sounding board and support to the (National Institute of Mental Health in England) - NIMHE Spirituality and Mental Health National Project. The Project is led by Professor Peter Gilbert, NIMHE Fellow and Professor in Spirituality and Social Work at Staffordshire University. As the National Project has developed dialogue for the implementation of spirituality in mental health services, so too has liaison and interest increased with the Forum.
Education and Training
In November 2006 the Forum joined CSIP/NIMHE, Professor Peter Gilbert and the host University of Staffordshire in jointly convening the first ever University Symposium on Spirituality in Healthcare. The Symposium held at Stafford involved all of the Government recognised religions of the UK including Humanists and atheists. Its success was reported in the national media.
Following the previous successful symposium a second was held in January 2008 jointly convened and supported by this Forum and CSIP.
The Forum provokes much food for thought, and is a paradigm for the future development and recognition of spirituality as an essential part in recovery from physical, as well as mental illness. The co-ordination and monitoring of the National Project is planned to be a joint responsibility of the Forum with CSIP, the Care Services Improvement Partnership, and the DoH for which a grant is being sought.
Finally, at a time of communal unrest between certain faiths and beliefs, the Forum considers it even more important to prove by its actions how well communities from different ethnic,cultural and religions backgrounds can work together; recognising and respecting their differences, whilst forming bonds of friendship and co-operation between us for the common good.
Professor Martin Aaron, MBA, FRSM, FRSA ........................................... July 2008
Chairman - The National Spirituality and Mental Health Forum
For immediate E-Mail contact click on: Spirituality4rum@aol.com
Tel: 0044 (0) 208 905 5412
UPDATE................................
The Department of Health - NHS funding for the National Spirituality and Mental Health Project in the Health Service was withdrawn from the end of March 2008 which has given great concern to all engaged in providing education and training to in-service employees in the various Mental Health Trusts in all regions. The Department has suggested that the Forum take over the responsibility for the co-ordination and monitoring of the NHS Project led by Professor Peter Gilbert, for which the Forum is urgently seeking funding. The Forum is seeking a Grant from the DoH, but such funds that may be granted over a three year period will not be available until the next fininancial year i.e. from April 2009.
NEXT MEETINGS OF THE FORUM .......................
December 10th. Venue to be advised
Date of Meetings in 2009
January 7th Conference at Staffordshire University
February 19th Meeting at St Ethelbergas Detail tba
March 18th Provisional date General Meeting Detail tba
April 30th General forum details tbe
June 18th General forum details tba
August 20th General forum dtails tba
October 15th General forum at St Ethelbergas details tba
December 10th General forum details tba
Details of other relevant information and websites may be added by contacting ther e-mail address above
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