Sufi Healing and Mental Health and Wellbeing: Tradition, Evidence and Future Directions

Abstract

Nearly half of the Low-Income countries and one third of the Lower-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) spend less than 1% of their health budget on mental health.  80% of the world population living in LMICS has high rates of mental illness and has poor access to mental healthcare. So, where do people go to seek help for their emotional and mental health problems? Sufism has a highly developed system of psycho-spiritual well-being. Evidence from the Western world suggests spiritual therapy can be effective. Most significantly, a combination of modern Cognitive therapy and ancient Buddhist mindfulness has proven to be effective for a variety of physical, mental, and emotional disorders. A similar approach can be used in combining Sufi healing practices with culturally adapted Cognitive therapy.

If feasible, acceptable, and effective, Sufism-based Cognitive Therapy (SbCT) can not only provide low-intensity CBT at scale but also help develop a tolerant society.