Spiritism, mental health, and public health: spiritist therapeutics under discussion

Abstract

Spiritism, a scientific, philosophical, and religious movement originated by Kardec in the 19th century, offers a set of activities aimed at assisting in health: Spiritist Therapeutics. Despite its socio-cultural significance, this therapeutic approach is seldom addressed in the health sciences. This study corresponds to a qualitative critical analysis following a literature review of Spiritism, psychic sciences, and public health. Its purpose is to characterize Spiritist Therapeutics, seek an understanding of its relationship with mental health, and contemplate public health as a research field for this topic. Spiritist Therapeutics consists of theoretical and practical educational and supportive activities based on the Christian doctrine as seen through the Spiritist perspective. Study activities can provide psychic support through their teachings, and social gatherings enable community support. Among the practical activities that aid mental health, fluidotherapy (fluidized water and "passe") stands out due to the greater number of associated research studies. In summary, Spiritist Therapeutics aims to achieve inner reform in individuals through intellectual and moral improvement, with positive consequences for mental health. However, the health sciences demonstrate resistance to researching such therapeutics due to traditional lines of thought, such as materialism and the biomedical paradigm. Therefore, public health, with its transdisciplinary and democratic characteristics, may represent a fair and unbiased scientific field to deepen the understanding of Spiritist Therapeutics and its relationship with mental health.