Culture, Religion, and Spirituality in Mental Health and Illness

Scientific evidence has conclusively established that religion and spirituality are associated with improved mental health outcomes. However, many providers remain hesitant to explore these domains of patient lives. This chapter briefly summarizes the evidence of improved outcomes, reviews the historical ambivalence of providers toward religion and spirituality, and situates the growing acceptance of such discussions within a broader movement across medicine toward providing services that respond to the needs of culturally diverse patients. The chapter concludes with specific assessment tools that providers can use in direct patient care.