scholarly journals Religiosity, Spirituality, and Mental Health in Portugal: A call for a conceptualisation, relationship, and guidelines for integration (a theoretical review)

Psicologia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaclin Freire ◽  
Carla Moleiro
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Research Society ◽  
The Body ◽  
Mental Health Field ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Religiosity And Spirituality ◽  
Health Field

In the Portuguese research society, particularly in the mental health field, little has been done regarding religiosity, spirituality and mental health. Thus, this paper strives to stimulate the interest in this area by providing an overview of the body of research on religiosity, spirituality and mental health, highlighting the role and importance these dimensions represent in the life of many people, whether in health or mental distress and illness. A brief review of the conceptualisation of religion (religiosity) and spirituality is provided, as well as some areas of disagreement and contention. Guidelines for the integration and professional training are also included, not discarding the ethical considerations inherent in this process. Finally, reflections are offered as to why bringing religiosity and spirituality into mental health field is important, as well as some implications for clinical practice, with particular focus on Portuguese mental health system.

The Person with Schizophrenia as a Person

1994 ◽  
Vol 164 (S23) ◽  
pp. 103-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
John S. Strauss
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Mental Health Field ◽  
Objective Measures ◽  
Health Field ◽  
Subjective Side

In the mental health field, the attention given to the subjective side of a person's experience is grossly inadequate. The best way to reflect the subjectivity of a person may be by means of the subjectivity of another. To take account of both subjective experience and objective measures in the course of mental disorders, a new concept is needed. This may be the person's story.

scholarly journals Medicated bodies: Mental distress, social media and affect

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 549-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Tucker ◽  
Lewis Goodings
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
The Body ◽  
Psychiatric Medication ◽  
Social Media Site ◽  
Health Social Media ◽  
Care Practices ◽  
The Impact

Social media are increasingly being recruited into care practices in mental health. This article analyses how a major new mental health social media site ( www.elefriends.org.uk ) is used when trying to manage the impact of psychiatric medication on the body. Drawing on Henri Bergson’s concept of affection, analysis shows that Elefriends is used at particular moments of reconfiguration (e.g. change in dosage and/or medication), periods of self-experimentation (when people tailor their regimen by altering prescriptions or ceasing medication) and when dealing with a present bodily concern (showing how members have a direct, immediate relationship with the site). In addition, the analysis illustrates how users have to structure their communication to try to avoid ‘triggering’ distress in others. The article concludes by pointing to the need to focus on the multiple emerging relationships between bodies and social media in mental health, due to the ways the latter are becoming increasingly prominent technologies through which to experience the body when distressed.

Psy-science and the colonial relationship in the mental health field

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.J. Penson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Postcolonial Theory ◽  
Scaling Up ◽  
Mental Health Field ◽  
Frames Of Reference ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Perspectives ◽  
Health Field ◽  
Critical Literature

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to critically discuss how the psy-sciences have been, and continue to be, typified by some critics, as colonizers and are credited with Imperialistic motivations. However, rarely are these critiques developed beyond a pejorative characterisation. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reviews the criticisms of psychiatry as colonial and outlines the tensions in taking different frames of reference in the mental health field, before going on to suggest theoretical and research perspectives arising from postcolonial theory that might advance these critical positions more coherently and the implications of doing so. Findings – This study suggests an engagement with humanities-based methods and fields such as postcolonial scholarship. Social implications – This argument is timely, especially given recent controversies over the publication of DSM5, the scaling up agenda for mental health in the Global South and increased attention to the agenda of Big Pharma. Originality/value – Postcolonial intersections with psy-science remains a relatively undeveloped area in the critical literature.

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