SPIRITUAL care is an important aspect of nursing and attending to the spiritual needs of clients. It improves overall health and well-being. Not providing spiritual support to patients is neglecting an important opportunity to improve mental health care.
For the past 20 years of specializing in psychiatric nursing, I have come to take care and counsel clients with different mental health problems. For now, most of my clients are diagnosed with substance abuse and mood disorders. In our weekly sessions, I find most of them in extreme sadness, emptiness, and hopelessness. I may have all the theories and skills on how to manage them but honestly, spiritual care is vital in their recovery.
St. Peter’s Counseling Home (SPCH) is an institution that cares for people who are wounded in their hearts and soul. It has been founded by Dr. Rodolfo P. Esteves and co-founded by Dr. Felomino A. Gargar who has trained many health practitioners a non-judgmental approach for clients to attain self-discovery and sobriety. For many years, I have witnessed how this institution has changed the lives of people at lost. The health team is not only passionate about helping their clients recover but helping them be nearer to God.
The St. Francis Xavier, Regional Major Seminary of Mindanao (Remase) has also greatly contributed to the spiritual needs and growth of SPCH clients. Their presence at SPCH has empowered clients to discover healthier lifestyles through spiritual solutions.
I am thankful that I have become a part of helping drug reformists attain recovery, but I am more thankful for being an instrument in their spiritual awakenings. Indeed, the use of multi-disciplinary collaboration, emphasizing spirituality can guarantee a very successful way to recovery.