Addressing spirituality within a mental health agency: A case study

Coleman, L. E. (2001). Addressing spirituality within a mental health agency: A case study. (Doctoral dissertation, Pacifica Graduate Institute, 2001). UMI no. 3025059

The purpose of this study was to address how a mental health agency in which spirituality was not identified as a primary concern began to address this issue with clients. As it has been demonstrated, spirituality plays a vital role in mental health and is an area historically neglected within mental health agencies. The study explored the attitudes, values, and associations held by mental health professionals and agency administration regarding spirituality. It reviewed how these factors influence the individual's comfort level in addressing spirituality, the obstacles that have had to be overcome or that are still impeding the successful of incorporating spirituality. The study was conducted utilizing qualitative research interviews as the basis of methodology. The research format utilized is a case study and explores the perspectives, experiences, and changes related to spirituality with a sample of individuals involved with the mental health agency. Information was gathered through interviews with eight (8) subjects. It captures the individual's perspectives, as well as the group's (agency's) evolution over the past 5 years. The results of this case study indicate that agency staff and administration identify spirituality as being important. Despite this, there continues to be a discrepancy regarding the amount of emphasis placed upon addressing spirituality. A number of issues and obstacles must be addressed in order for this and other agencies to pursue and improve upon the incorporation of spirituality. Some of the major obstacles identified require agency staff to be given the support, permission, and training to address spirituality adequately with clients. Therefore educational institutions must increase the incorporation of spirituality into the curriculum of training and workshops for mental health professionals. Due to the significance of spirituality and the resulting psychological impact, it is indicated that failing to address spiritual aspects of the individual results in the neglect of an essential human element. Spirituality has been identified as having specific impact on areas of personal development, psychological growth, sense life meaning, coping, interactions, thoughts, and behavior. The consequence of neglecting the spiritual component has a converse effect on these as well as other areas.