An editorial in the Journal of Religion and Health gathers new research on how spirituality intersects with wellbeing, cancer care, and end‑of‑life needs. Carey et al. 2025
What’s new
Editors introduce a wide‑ranging set of studies on three fronts—students, mental health, and cancer—and, for the first time, curate a dedicated palliative‑care section. The issue frames students as a vulnerable group under constant assessment stress and highlights school‑to‑university projects, from a faith‑infused resilience game for Taiwanese primary pupils to work on religion and mental wellbeing in Irish post‑primary schools. University studies examine links among spirituality, substance‑use risk, positive thinking, and self‑compassion across Türkiye and Jordan, plus differences in U.S. medical students’ harm‑reduction attitudes by sex assigned at birth. Nursing education features too, with pieces on teaching spirituality, the internet’s impact on Chinese nursing students, and art’s role in peace of mind. Carey et al. 2025
Mental health, from big ideas to bedside
Beyond philosophical reflections (from Albert Camus to the Prophet Elijah), a high‑profile contribution argues—using modern causal methods—that religion may have a causal, not just correlational, link to mental health. Other reports span faith’s role in coping during the war in Ukraine, spiritually informed education for Brazilian clinicians, and trials such as religiously integrated forgiveness therapy for depression and pain in Pakistan. Carey et al. 2025
Cancer and faith‑based supports
Cancer‑focused papers range from spiritual care needs and pain intrusion in advanced cancer (Türkiye) to faith‑based messaging for colorectal screening (U.S.), community translation work in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and spiritual‑care needs among Chinese patients. A scoping review maps spirituality within patient‑centred care for people with primary brain tumours. Carey et al. 2025
Palliative care takes center stage
The new palliative‑care collection spans patients’ spiritual needs and life satisfaction (Lithuania), manual development for cancer palliative care (Malaysia), training programs for inpatient and hospice teams, spiritual complexity in Spanish home care, and studies of hemodialysis patients (China), Swedish professionals’ spiritual‑care discussions, Parkinson’s caregivers (U.S.), and older adults in Taiwan. Carey et al. 2025
Why it matters
The editors also flag moral injury—among clinicians, veterans, and first responders—as an increasingly recognized syndrome, and point readers to the inaugural Australia–New Zealand Moral Injury Conference in May 2026. The through‑line: evidence‑informed spiritual care and community‑anchored approaches can complement medical treatment across the lifespan. Carey et al. 2025
The Nano Post takeaway
Spirituality isn’t a replacement for care—but when thoughtfully integrated, it can support mental health, encourage screening, and improve the experience of serious illness and end‑of‑life care. Look for programs that are evidence‑guided, culturally grounded, and designed to work alongside standard treatment. Carey et al. 2025
Source: Carey LB, Koenig HG, Paal P, et al. “Students, Mental Health, Cancer and Palliative Care.” Journal of Religion and Health. Published online May 24, 2025.
Editor’s note: This article is for information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.