Which is the role of religion and spirituality in our mental health? My belief is that belief has an important role in our mental health. It gives you a sense of belonging and a purpose.
Spirituality is a tool which helps one generate a more peaceful mindset. It promotes accepting life as it is without judgement.
https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/December-2016/The-Mental-Health-Benefits-of-Religion-Spiritual
Religion plays a very critical role in an individual's perspective, specifically on treatment for mental health. If you come from a religion that has teachings centered around not reaching out to others for help in times of distress or need (rather going to God), then there is a very high chance that it will keep an individual's distressing symptoms in continuance. In my psychopathology course, we talked a lot about contributing factors associated with mental illnesses and disorders. Religion/culture are factors that can make an individual stay in a state of stagnation, rather than move toward therapeutic gain. Of course, there is nothing wrong with believing in a higher power to get rid of all your worries, stress, and pain. But what makes it more challenging to help treat someone's debilitating symptoms, is when their culture or religious beliefs are centered around not seeking out help and sometimes the help is necessary.
I also want to talk a bit about culture as they are both in the same scope. This can function as a domino effect. If parents come from a culture or religion where they don't even believe in having a mental illness or have a negative stigma associated with mental health, it will negatively affect children who reach out to their parents for help with a mental disorder. For example, research shows that African Americans have a very high stigma associated with mental health. If a child is suffering from depression and the parents believe that depression isn't in fact real, then the depressive symptoms of that child will continue to stay active. Our perspectives on mental health will always be shaped by our upbringing and what we have been taught.
Yes, religion can give sense of protection. According to Dr Kenneth I. Pargament, religion can help people to cope difficult phases of life. There are many forms of religious coping.
We are all drawn to one great power. No matter what we call it. Believing can provide peace of mind.
There are some studies that indicate that higher levels of religious belief and practice (known in social science as "religiosity") is associated with better mental health.
I agree with you. I believe that we as human beings are always searching for some kind of purpose and meaning in life and simply believing in something ( whether it's God, The Universe or whatever a person chooses to name it) could provide a resource for explaining and resolving problematic situation and it could provide the basis for a sense of meaning.
I agree, there can definitely be upsides to believing in religion and spirituality. It can also be detrimental due to intolerance that runs rampant in some of those communities.