Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine
University of California Irvine
Dana Point, California

The Psychiatry and Spirituality Forum promotes scholarly and educational initiatives exploring the connection between patients’ mental health and religious, spiritual, philosophical, and moral convictions. Forum members include attending physicians, resident physicians, medical students, scholars and practitioners from related disciplines. Participants share the belief that modern psychiatry has much to offer religious believers, and that spiritual and religious traditions have a great deal to teach those dedicated to promoting health and human flourishing. Programs include a yearly continuing medical education conference for physicians on topics in medicine, psychiatry, philosophy, and theology. Other activities include: speakers and discussions for departmental grand rounds; quarterly lectures for the general public; case conferences for clergy and religious leaders; discussion groups for medical students and resident physicians; a lending library; and a semi-annual newsletter. Members engage in community outreach with local clergy and religious leaders to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the leaders in each field. Matching funds are provided by the University of California Irvine’s Department of Psychiatry.