Identifying Mental Health Problems: Holistic approaches

In this step, Dr Yusuf explains why we need to identify the underlying causes of mental health problems and how we can do this.

All forms of spirituality, including formalised religions, are increasingly recognised as critical aspects of assessing and treating mental health problems. Spirituality can encompass one’s deepest sense of meaning, purpose, and relationships, and can have implications for mental health.

It is widely accepted that causes of mental health problems can include biological, psychological, and social factors, or indeed a mix of these. Identifying the causes of mental health problems is therefore a complex task. Holistic approaches that encompass all these factors are favoured in understanding and treating the causes of mental health problems.

Dr Yusuf introduces the bio-psycho-social (BPS) approach to understanding and ‘treating’ mental health problems. He goes on to explain that the model can be expanded to include spirituality, this is the bio-psycho-social-spiritual (BPSS) model. BPSS is a theme that will run throughout the course, presented as a holistic approach that might be particularly appropriate when supporting Muslims with mental health problems. You may find it helpful to revisit this step to remind yourself of what BPSS means as you make your way through the course.

Over to you

Imagine you had an opportunity to ask Dr Yusuf a question about his explanation of the BPSS model, what would you ask him? Maybe you can answer someone else’s question below.