New study says religion is a way out of mental illness

A new study says religion is

After studying a small group of young adults (aged 18–25) with serious mental illness, the study found that religion and spirituality, in general, can help young adults deal with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and serious depression.

This Week magazine reports that the lead author Holly Oxhandler, from Baylor University in Texas, US, discovered that believing in God is a major source of comfort and support when it comes to dealing with severe mental illness.

In his words, "Not only did these young adults struggle with serious mental illness, but they had also experienced extreme adversity - including abuse, poverty, homelessness, addiction, near-death experiences, loss and an overwhelming lack of access to medical and mental health services.

"Those who discussed their relationship with God or a higher power, discussed God providing a sense of comfort or protection, accepting them for who they are or positively intervening in their lives."

Oxhandler added, "It's critical that mental health care providers be well equipped and trained to assess the complex role of religion and spirituality in the lives of young adults with serious mental illness, recognising that it could appear to be a tremendous source of support and resilience and/or a source of pain and discomfort, if even a part of their lives at all."

The study was carried out on people who had used crisis emergency services. It was published in the journal Spirituality in Clinical Practice.

ALSO READ: Here is why young people are abandoning religion

More research on religion

Despite this positive discovery, another study says abandoning your faith might be the key to wealth.

This new report by researchers at the Universities of Bristol and Tennessee claims shunning religion might actually lead to an increase in wealth.

The study found that higher levels of secularism can lead to an increase in a nation's wealth and a greater tolerance for individual rights.

Based on output figures for 109 countries and the importance of religious faith in those states, the researchers noticed a modest increase in secularisation corresponded to an average £800 increase in output per head.

This was within a decade. In 20 years, there was a £2,000 increase and a £4,000 increase within 30.