About
Spiritual health is an important part of person-centred care that includes all dimensions of a person: spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, and social.
People diagnosed with cancer may have spiritual health needs. They may start looking for ways to:
- Find meaning and purpose in lifee
- Express themselves
- Connect to their faith or beliefs.
Spiritual Distress
Spiritual distress is a conflict between your belief system and your current reality. It can happen if your core spirituality is challenged. It can also happen if you do not have spiritual well-being.
Spiritual distress can happen when:
- You are waiting for a diagnosis.
- You have a major setback or complications.
- You are in pain or are suffering.
- Your beliefs do not support the treatment your health care team has recommended.
- You are wishing for a ritual of faith, such as prayer or having Communion.
Spiritual distress can also affect family members and caregivers of people with cancer. It can often happen if you are:
- Responsible for making hard or life-changing decisions for your loved one.
- Experiencing compassion or caregiver fatigue.
Spiritual Care
Spiritual Care is a holistic approach to healthcare. It values and affirms spirituality and faith as part of healing. We support patients and families during their cancer care. We help connect them to their spiritual resources and practices.
Spiritual Health Practitioners
Spiritual Health Practitioners work as part of the cancer care team with Patient & Family Counselling.
We are multi-faith practitioners who have been trained by the Canadian Association of Spiritual Care. We practice according to the standards set by the BC Ministry of Health.
We serve people of all communities, faiths, and religious and non-religious traditions. We support patients, families, and health care staff emotionally and spiritually in moments of need. Our support is based on the person's beliefs, cultural background, values, and practices. If needed, we can contact faith leaders in your community.
