Why are faith-informed conversations needed?

Disparities in mental health outcomes for people from minority ethnic backgrounds, and the high proportion of people from such backgrounds professing a faith, means that referrals and signposting through faith communities is one way of addressing health inequalities and enabling people to gain timely access to the support they need.

Trigger points

Many people turn to their faith, or access a faith community, at times of transition, difficulty or change – like bereavement, retirement, changes in relationships, living somewhere new, or having a baby. These moments can also be trigger points for poor mental health and suicidal ideation, so a well-placed intervention, or referral to the right support, can make a big difference.

Personalised care

Good care is personalised and built upon what matters to people. You might argue that few things are more personal than where we place our faith. Any truly personalised approach to suicide prevention must take faith into account.

Benefits

People want their faith to be included in their care, and they benefit when it is. Religious or spiritual beliefs and practices are important to many people, and can be a major influence on their attitudes and behaviours. Over half of people who use mental health services find their beliefs helpful in managing their mental health issues, but often find it difficult to speak about them with health professionals.

Studies have shown that culture and faith-informed practice can improve communication and lead to better outcomes.

There are people that do seek professional help, but they still want to understand: what is happening to them? Is it based on karma? They’ve got so many questions that they want answering based from their faith… -Leader of a faith-based mental health charity

Assets

Faith communities have assets for prevention, including:

• Prominent buildings in accessible locations
• An ethos of care and compassion, including to the most marginalised
• Motivated volunteers (meaning investment goes a long way)
• Social capital and expertise through their networks
• Trust and community knowledge

Assets are the physical and non-physical resources or characteristics which help faith groups serve their communities. Such as: buildings and spaces, volunteer power, an ethos of care and service, and trust.

Hinduism

For Hindus, Brahman is the Ultimate Reality, the supreme God. The term also refers to the ‘divine consciousness.’ Brahman can be shown in many forms including deities – presentations of the divine.

The teachings of Hinduism include an understanding of the aims of human life and the personal virtues of a practising Hindu. Understanding the nature of human life also involves an awareness of the cycle of birth and death.

Through Hindu practices, followers of the religion can show their commitment to the faith. This can include worshipping in temples and at shrines, or working in the wider community and undertaking charity work.

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The following content is intended to offer information on when, where and how Hindus might access community-based support. It should not be treated as guidance on how to engage with any Hindu community.

How is life, suffering, and death understood within the Hindu faith?

 

Life…

• is part of samsara, the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
• is determined by karma (actions, deeds) from previous lives.
• has a four-fold purpose: pursuing dharma (ethical duties), artha (success and security), kama (pleasures), and moksha (spiritual freedom from samsara).
• is repeated via reincarnation until moksha is achieved.

Suffering…

• is a part of the unfolding of karma and is the consequence of actions in current or past lives.
• can be positive if it leads to progress on a spiritual path.
• should be met with compassion and kindness.
• can be accepted as a consequence of one’s actions, and satisfies debt incurred for past actions.

Death…

• is when the physical body dies, but the soul (Atman) continues until it settles upon its true nature.
• can be seen as moving closer to Brahman, the ultimate reality or God.

Support

The following content is intended to offer information on when, where and how Hindus might access community-based support. It should not be treated as guidance on how to engage with the Hindu community.

When do Hindus gather / connect?

There are no set times for Hindus to visit the mandir (temple). Some devout Hindus may visit daily, in the morning or evening, as part of their daily worship (puja); others may more commonly visit during festivals, or not at all.

Typically, Hindus will have an altar or shrine in their home, and worship may take place individually, or as a family, often in the morning.

There are many festivals and special times which draw together Hindu families and communities. There are some large community celebrations such as those for Diwali and Navaratri (mid-Autumn), Shivaratri (late Winter/early spring), Holi (early Spring), and Raksha Bandan (late Summer).

Hindus may also attend the mandir for spiritual gatherings or classes (satsangs) and devotional singing (bhajans). They also may engage in different forms of community service (seva) including volunteering at the mandir and community outreach.

Where do Hindus gather / connect?

Mandirs range from large, purpose-built temples built in the traditional style, to existing buildings that have been adapted and re-purposed. They are often large gathering spaces, facilitating worship as well as a range of cultural and educational activities.

For most, worship is a private thing and there is an emphasis on worship in the home. Lots of homes will have a room set aside where puja can be performed.

Throughout the UK, there are about 135 mandirs conducting regular worship. These mandirs will represent different cultural and linguistic traditions within Hinduism, and services may be offered in languages such as Gujurati, Tamil or Bengali. People will often choose which mandir to attend based on proximity, culture and language.

If a Hindu wanted to access faith-based wellbeing support, how and where might they do this?

Hindus may access mandirs for wellbeing as places of education, learning and cultural activity, including art, music and literature, broader wellbeing programmes and physical activities such as yoga.

Mandirs have priests who are responsible for conducting worship. These priests may offer guidance, counselling and welcome for visitors and will often be sought for advice from individuals and families seeking to understand challenges they may be facing.

Regular spiritual discourses are held at mandirs through which devotees learn about Hindu beliefs, values and practices. Discourses are often delivered by key leadership figures, who are highly respected and trusted; advice may be sought in the context of these discussions.

Hindu Chaplaincy is a recent innovation in many countries, and chaplains are trained in pastoral care and dealing with mental illness.

Bereavement and Hinduism

The Good Thinking team has produced this short guide to help anyone in London’s Hindu community who has lost a loved one and to help health and care professionals who are supporting terminally ill patients of the Hindu faith.

“The soul is neither born, nor does it ever die; nor having once existed, does it ever cease to exist. The soul is unborn, eternal, immortal and primeval. It is not slain when the body is slain.” (Bhagavad Gita 2.20)

This guide was developed as part of Good Thinking’s focus on providing wellbeing resources for various faith communities. Several resources were produced with the support of the Hindu Forum of Britain, the Hindu Council UK and BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – Neasden Temple.

Access Hinduism and Bereavement

 

Lifeline is a multifaith support body. . Excellent explanatory (Easyread) material from Lifeline about Myths and Misconceptions on Suicide is found here:
https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/topics/suicide/suicide-stigmas-myths-and-misconceptions

 

BBC: Euthanasia, assisted dying, and suicide
A useful resource that considers dharma, karma and moral issues around euthanasia and assisted dying. Prayopavesa, or fasting to death, is an acceptable way for a Hindu to end their life in certain circumstances – a sensible, useful read. Access BBC: Euthanasia, assisted dying, and suicide</strong>

 

World Suicide Prevention Day – Tuesday 10th September 2024
Changing the Narrative