"Church Attendance Linked With Reduced Suicide
Risk, Especially For Catholics, Study Says"
Against a grim backdrop of rising suicide rates among American women, new research has revealed a blinding shaft of light: One group of women — practicing Catholics — appears to have bucked the national trend toward despair and self-harm.--
LA Times, Science Now, June 29, 2016
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"Religious convictions and practices can help people foster a sense of hope, even in the midst of major crises or adversities," said Kheriaty. "Religious faith can help people find a sense of meaning and purpose even in suffering," he added.
"It's not our role to 'prescribe' religion… or proselytize to our patients," said Kheriaty. "It is safe to assume that religious conviction and faith must be genuine and sincere if they are to provide the mental and physical health benefits that several studies have suggested."
But if patients are inclined to explore religion or spirituality, said Kheriaty, "doctors can encourage patients to explore such activities confident that religious practices will likely not harm, and may indeed, help, their patient's mental health."
Dr. Aaron Kheriaty
LA Times, Science Now, June 29, 2016
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