The religious component of acute hospital treatment

A clinically trained chaplain working part time in an acute psychiatric day hospital unit affords patients an opportunity to explore the religious dimension of their lives and educates staff about how to address patients' religious beliefs and incorporate them into treatment and discharge planning. The chaplain meets individually with patients at their request, is coleader with a mental health professional of a patients' group that discusses way of enriching one's life, and participates in clinical team meetings. During the first 12 months of the program, a pastoral consultation was requested by 59 percent of patients who were offered one at admission. About another 10 percent sought consultation later or attended the patient group. By incorporating a religious component in acute treatment programs, mental health care facilities can serve the broader purpose of increasing collaboration with religious and other groups in the community and expand the resources available to the patient at discharge.