In May of this year, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy drew attention to the “public health crisis of loneliness, isolation and lack of connection in the U.S. today.” The official listed religious groups as the key to solving the issue. For many people, the holiday seasons are times of grief or loss. Religion is proven to have a positive impact on mental health.
In his statement, Murthy said that “Religious or faith-based groups can be a source for regular social contact, serve as a community of support, provide meaning and purpose, create a sense of belonging around shared values and beliefs, and are associated with reduced risk-taking behaviors.” While these remarks were general, mental health experts and pastors alike agree with the benefits of religious expression.
Lisa Miller, a professor of psychology and education at Columbia University’s Teacher College says “During the holidays, we are practicing relational spirituality and engaging in our awakened brain,” “We are actually showing up for one another to be loving, to be holding, to be guiding and never leave anyone alone.” The Christmas season is a time of heightened depression.
According to the American Psychological Association, 41% of adults in the U.S. say their stress increases during the holidays. National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that 64% of people living with a mental illness reported their conditions get worse around Christmas. However, attending religious services can ameliorate the problem.
Miler describes spirituality as a “clear antidote” to the unprecedented rise in alcoholism, drug use, and suicide across the United States. The data bears out her hunch. Pew Research found in 2019 that while less than a quarter of nonreligious Americans describe themselves as ‘Very Happy‘ more than one-third of regular worshipers describe themselves as such.
The Rev. Sarah Lund, who serves the United Church of Christ, had this to say: “We don’t realize what a gift it is to be connected and to have weekly gatherings where we share space, share community, break bread together, have friendships and build relationships through prayer, through Bible study, and worship,” Lund said.
Lund also said “After the holidays is when people feel that kind of letdown. As people of faith, there’s an opportunity to continue the intentional work about inclusion and supporting people’s mental health and accommodating the needs of people who have disabilities.” She mentioned that Churches can have special services for those who’ve experienced loss during the festive season. These are often referred to as ‘Blue Christmas’ services and offer a place for communal grief during a normally happy time.
“A strong spiritual life is more protective against addiction, more protective against depression, more protective even against suicide than anything else known to the social or medical sciences,” Lisa Miller reports. “When we look at hundreds of peer-reviewed articles, we see that the magnitude of the protective benefits of spiritual life is pointing to a way forward for our country.” She also mentioned how Miller said this variety of “direct, loving, transcendent relationships” can have massive mental health benefits.