Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, August 13-15, 1999.

Mevludin HASANOVIC

Psychiatric Clinic, University Clinical centre, Faculty of Medicine of the Tuzla University, 75 000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The paper gives a frame for significance of religion in the mental health of believers. Islamic views on soul as a fundamental principle of human living are given in it, as they are rightful and beneficial factors in stands and behaviour of individuals toward their souls. It also speaks of all negative influences on the soul, which creates a background for disturbance of mental well being, causing mental disorders and illnesses. Islam is the focus of the paper, as a complete order founded on the theory of the Announcement of Kur’an and the practice of the God’s Emissary Muhamed a.s., who gave the Announcement to the whole humankind. Fundamental theoretical and practical principles of Islam are given in it together with their beneficial protective and healing influence on mental, psychosocial and psychosomatic well being of an individual and a community where traditional routine of Islamic living is practised. The author has emphasised therapeutic role of Islamic principles in treatment of alcoholism, founded on four levels of cognitive behavioural approach as it was realised by the God’s Emissary Muhamed a.s., thorough his example and consistent following of the directions given in the text of the Kur’an. The author also extracts Islamic approach in treatment of depression founded on the text of the Kur’an where life is being preferred over the death; action is preferred over passivity; education over illiteracy; and light over darkness. Islamic approach in prevention of suicides and treatment of suicidal tendencies with possibility of its completion is founded on the God’s order where it is forbidden to harm oneself in any way, and where is explicitly forbidden to commit suicide. The paper gives fundamental Islamic principles, which can assist the people to overcome sudden, short-lasting or long-lasting disasters and misfortunes that cause psychological trauma and its acute and chronic consequences and provides more efficient and faster treatment.

Key words:Mental health – Islam – Alcoholism – Depression – Suicide - Trauma

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