FAITH-BASED PROGRAMS

• National studies demonstrated that non-participation in religious activities increased suicide risk by almost 400%  (Comstock & Partridge, 1972; Nisbet et al, 2000)

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• 57 of 68 studies (84%) that addressed the link between suicide and religion found that there were lower suicide rates among those more actively involved in faith-based activities  (Koenig & Larsen, 2001)

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• One landmark study discovered a link between religious beliefs and practices (specifically Christian), reduced rates of depression, and receiving religiously-oriented cognitive behavioral therapy  (Propst et al, 1992) 

  • Participants showed reduced symptoms of post-treatment depression, balanced clinical adjustment, and lower recidivism with this mode of treatment

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• Religion and spirituality have shown to reduce suicide rates for those suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury  (Brenner et al, 2009)

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• Most patients view their faith as a core aspect of life and want to address issues of spirituality in the context of their medical care (Kliewer, 2004)

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• One study of evangelical Christian clients in need of psychiatric help found that 83% of respondents believed therapists did not understand their beliefs and values, resulting in significant hesitation to initiate services (Furman, Perry, & Goldale, 1996)

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• Regular involvement in worship-based activities correlated with lower levels of depression and alcohol abuse (Baetz et al, 2002) 

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• Biblically-oriented psychotherapy has proven successful in treating different forms of depression, reducing negative thought patterns, and lowering overall pathology levels in a measureable way  (Johnson, et al, 1994)

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• Outside of pastoral counselors and chaplains trained in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), few clinicians have received formal training to work effectively with spiritually attuned and motivated clients (Burke et al, 1999; Schulte, Skinner & Claiborn, 2002)
   

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