Dear NAMI, Spiritual health instead of world mental health day is more beneficial; here’s why.
While America and Europe appear to be “civilized,” youth’s mental health is anything of the sort, according to recent reports. Yesterday was mental health day, and 1 out of 4 U.S. and 1 out of 5 European gen z’er’s reported mental distress. Despite access to entertainment at an all-time high, weed consumption for teens at an all-time high, and belief in Religion at an all-time low. Most European perspectives historically lack a holistic approach compared to eastern and African spirituality. Separating mind, body, and spirit may be a flawed concept that needs reconsideration. Could the psych field’s neglect of the spirit make their work less effective? Let’s find out. Dear Nami, spiritual health instead of world mental health day is more beneficial; here’s why.
So what else? Meaning to life? I don’t need “divine intervention” and superficial “silently heard” words from an invisible bearded white guy in the sky telling me that I’m spectacular. I’m ok not being spectacular. I love being a wonderful, humble, mediocre, perfectly average human being who’s thoughts don’t control the weather or manifest destruction, or beckon the revenge of some far off psychological projection of a deity (UGH). I can just exist, and seek joy, and the betterment of all life forms on this planet, in this plane of existence, because it’s the only one we’ve got. How/why do I need more? Why do I have to have a spirituality?
“A therapist told me my atheism was a poor sign of mental health” From a reddit forum
While therapists aren’t paid to push religious agendas and beliefs onto their patients, who does the data support? The therapist or the clients?. Atheists love facts, and even as independent thinkers, we do too. Let’s look at the research of who does better mental health-wise. For nones(nonbelievers), it’s mental health; for believers, it’s spiritual health. Despite numerous studies, atheists and other nones think religion is a form of mental illness. Yet, nones are the biggest victims of mental illness. NAMI, should mental health begin to focus more on spiritual health for world mental health day then?
The nones include but aren’t limited to, atheist and spiritual but not religious. Athiest was reported to have the best mental health of the nones. The spiritual but not religious were reported to have had the highest rate of drug dependency, anxiety, and neurotic disorders. This isn’t to say that those who are religious can’t be miserable, every case varies by person. However, if religion is going to be held under the microscope and become a popular narrative for people to leave, then its alternatives should face the same treatment, no pun.
Hinduism believes the Atman is the real self, the soul, unchanging and eternal. Our attachment to the world and ego may be causing our mental issues. Attachment is the root of all suffering, buddha says. Or Lord Krsna tells us, “let go and do not cling to the fruit of your actions.” The Bible tells us All is vanity and to be in the world but not the world. All these religions and spiritual systems tell us to tame our senses. Yet the first thing we hear is about a bearded white man in the sky. Nothing was more important than taming the mind and senses; it should be everyone’s number one priority in life.
Being spiritual isn’t just collecting crystals and incense, it takes work. It takes taming your ego and spending time alone. Being a none and living with surface standards is easy to do. It’s easy becomes our senses are under attack 25/8/366..Many dislike religion because they lack the discipline and tamed ego to be a devotee to a belief. It’s easier to argue online and play video games all day; someone had to say it. For instance;
The Gita tells us to eat in moderation, renounce the fruit of our labor(have no attachment when doing labor), discharge our duties, and more. Yet popular secular culture doesn’t promote any of this. If we encourage people to eat in moderation, we’re fat shaming. Renouncing the fruit of your labor “makes the rich richer and the poor poorer.” Discharging our duties forces us to focus on our unique individual talents. As opposed to chasing likes, followers, clout, etc.
Furthermore, Hinduism incorporates a holistic Ayurvedic approach to health, including mind, body and soul healing. While natural cures and remedy interest peaked during covid, many are still skeptical of Ayurveda as it lacks scientific research despite being several thousand years old.
In conclusion, atheists are great researchers using science and data to support their beliefs. Yet, turn a blind eye to the data of religion western and eastern on mental AND spiritual health. Their lack of spiritual health research exposes a western indoctrination mindset. The belief of No god is still a religion and a set of beliefs. Having the best worst mental health of the none’s isn’t an achievement. For the most part, followers of modern religion have yielded to science and research in terms of health, medicine, and the modernization of society. Atheists, on the other hand, it’s time to turn the other cheek and yield to spirituality.