Spirituality and Mental Health
Dr. Marek S. Kopacz, from the VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention in Canandaigua, N.Y., gives the keynote speech during the Providence VA Medical Center’s Mental Health Summit Aug. 29, 2019. Kopacz reviewed research on the impact of spirituality on health outcomes, provided information on treatment approaches and discussed spirituality’s role in suicide prevention and postvention. (Providence VA Medical Center photo by Winfield Danielson)
The Providence VA Medical Center hosted its annual Mental Health Summit Aug. 29.
The topic of this year's summit was "The Importance of Spirituality on Mental Health Outcomes and Suicide Prevention and Postvention,” featuring keynote speaker Dr. Marek S. Kopacz from the VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention in Canandaigua, N.Y.
U.S. Senator Jack Reed, left, and Rhode Island Director of Veterans Services Kasim Yarn, right, talk to Providence Journal Staff Writer G. Wayne Miller, who covers mental and physical health, at the Providence VA Medical Center's annual Mental Health Summit Aug. 29, 2019. (Providence VA Medical Center photo by Winfield Danielson)
A growing body of research suggests that individuals with mental and physical disorders may experience improved health care outcomes when incorporating spiritual practices into their lives.
In his remarks, Kopacz reviewed research, provided information on treatment and reviewed spirituality’s role in suicide prevention and postvention, and discussed how spirituality can be incorporated in daily practice
More than 120 VA employees, Veterans and community partners attended the event.
