RELIGION MAKES us healthier and happier, according to a new study from the Iona Institute, a religious think tank.
According to the study commissioned by the privately-funded institute from psychiatrist Prof Patricia Casey, religion makes its adherents happier and healthier on average than those who do not practise religion.
Forewords to the paper have been written by the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, and the Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Dr Ken Good.
Both Archbishop Martin and Bishop Good call on mental health practitioners to be more open to the positive contribution that religion can make to wellbeing.
The full report will be released this afternoon at a conference on the benefits of religious practice in Dublin. Also speaking at the conference are Dr Brad Wilcox from the University of Virginia, and Dr Andrew Sims, professor emeritus of psychiatry at Leeds University.
Prof Casey’s report is the first such to be published in Ireland, and the Iona Institute said it comes “at a time when religion is under strong attack as being harmful and socially divisive”.
The report claims religious practice is associated with lower than average rates of depression and other mental illnesses, and lower than average rates of alcohol and drug abuse.
