National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery | NCMHR

Spirituality

Multicultural Competence, Intense Spiritual Experiences, and Mental Health: Guidelines for Mental Health Consumers and their Supporters

A groundbreaking document was recently released by the STAR Center entitled, “Multicultural Competence, Intense Spiritual Experiences, and Mental Health: Guidelines for Mental Health Consumers and their Supporters,” written by Rev. Laura L. Mancuso. The report is based on the premise that authentic spiritual experiences can co-occur with altered states. People moving through intense spiritual experiences are often exquisitely sensitive to sensory input and can be traumatized by interventions, particularly if force is used. Peer-to-peer guidance is offered to help individuals recognize the value and dignity of their experiences and to view the process as natural and beneficial. Specific guidelines are offered for supporters about how best to accompany an individual having an intense spiritual experience while also taking responsibility for their own needs. The report concludes with an extensive list of video, print, and internet-based resources for further information. NOTE: All of the material in the 16-page version is included in the lengthier 44-page report.

Click to download the full 16-page report (PDF, 392KB)
Click to download the full 48-page report (PDF, 660KB)

The report provides guidance for individuals moving through intense spiritual experiences to help them recognize the value and dignity of their experiences and offers hope that the process is natural and beneficial. Specific recommendations are given for supporters about how best to accompany an individual having an intense spiritual experience. Click to download the full 43-page report (PDF, 843KB, 48 pages). A shorter 13-page version, can also be downloaded from the NAMI STAR website, www.consumerstar.org.

The Emergence of a Collective Recovery Consciousness: L’esprit de Liberation, Recobrar la Vida - By Lauren Spiro and Daniel Fisher - October 2009 [Also available as a PDF (66KB, 5 pages)