Medicine Beyond Materialism

Cultural, religious and spiritual models of health

Training Seminars

Objectives

· To develop an understanding of cultural perceptions of the human body and its core experiences (including religious experience and mental health)

 

· To offer a forum for discussing the plurality of cultural explanatory models for conditions which tend to attract psychiatric attention. 

 

· To develop positive awareness of cultural explanatory models for life events such as conception & birth, health & illness, death & dying, and explore ways they may be presented in a clinical setting

Why address culture, religion and mental health? 

People forced into migration from their country of origin, may be more at risk of experiencing episodes of stress, anxiety or mental ill health. Forced migration may occur as the result of war or trauma, or holding beliefs incompatible with a country’s ruling parties.

Living away from support of extended family and friends increases social isolation, even for those who migrate by choice.  Religious and spiritual practices are often important aspects of daily life

Our underlying assumption

is that when there is concordance of understanding

between practitioner and client,

there is a greater opportunity for healing

and access to treatment options.