Thankful in Adversity: Using Bahá’í Writings and Benefit Finding to Enhance Understanding and Application of Mental Health Recovery Principles

Abstract

Mental health recovery has been conceptualized as a process through which individuals with severe mental illness improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and work toward meaningful personal goals. While this is clearly an improvement over the traditional medical model of treatment of schizophrenia and related disorders, the spiritual dimension of mental health recovery still warrants closer investigation. The idea that adversity may offer spiritual insight and  opportunities for personal growth—a common theme in the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith—is particularly worthy of consideration. This paper reflects on how both the Bahá’í Writings and the literature on benefit finding can enhance the understanding and applications of mental health recovery principles.