Psychiatry and Religion: Context, Consensus and Controversies works to eradicate the distinction between spiritual and psychological welfare and promote greater understanding of the relationship between the two.

This book brings together chapters from fifteen mental health practitioners and pastoral workers to explore what their different philosophies have to offer the individuals in their care. As well as all the major world religions, the text also provides detailed information about newer religions and the significance of their belief systems for mental health management. The book examines the positive and negative effects that strict moral codes and religious rituals can produce and shows how awareness of these effects is crucial to the treatment of these patients.

This classic edition of Psychiatry and Religion, with a new introduction from Dinesh Bhugra, will continue to provide an important resource to practicing and training psychiatrists.

Religion and spirituality are a prominent coping strategy for many of our patients, and can promote their emotional and cognitive growth. Themes related to religion may feature prominently in the ideation of several of them. An aberrant way to understand religion has become in recent years a source of conflicts and mass violence which have had an enormous impact on the mental health of thousands of people. This book is one of the most comprehensive and well-balanced sources of information, reflection and wisdom about this key dimension of our life and professional practice.

Mario Maj, Professor of Psychiatry and Chairman at the Vanvitelli University of Naples, Italy, and Past-President of the World Psychiatric Association

Dinesh Bhugra is Emeritus Professor of Mental Health and Cultural Diversity at the IoPPN, King's College London. He is Past-President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (2008–2011) and the World Psychiatric Association (2014–2017). He is President of the British Medical Association (2018–2019).