Abstract:

Traumatic events are very much a part of everyday life; they are neither new nor rare. The care of faith group members suffering from psychological trauma is a significant component of pastoral care and yet little attention has been paid to this complex area. This article details the results of a collaborative study between mental health and faith group leaders and between NHS Tayside and NHS Fife, which examines the role of faith and belief group leaders in working with people who have been subjected to trauma. The first part of this article details questions of interest to chaplains and faith group leaders, such as: the relationship between the faith group leaders and mental health personnel, and what training was available to faith and belief group leaders? Following completion of the study a consultation day was held by the Department of Spiritual Care in NHS Tayside (in November 2008) at which the collated results were presented. The faith group leaders, chaplains and health personnel who were present were able to give their responses to the results of the survey; those responses constitute the second part of this article.

Author: Paul Cavannagh, Janet Foggie, Alastair M. Hull