Spirit Possession and Mental Health    

19th March 2012 / London     

Spirit possession is recognised world wide across many cultures and by several religions. Spirit possession is often seen as an idiom of distress causing a change in behaviour and mental well being. Spirit possession is also included in the ICD 10 and DSM IV classifications of mental disorders, yet the extent to which it is recognised and / or discussed in clinical practice is less than we would expect, even in UK cities where there resides a diverse population.

This one day event will consider the critical themes and debates on spirit possession from an anthropological, social, psychological, medical and religious perspective using a range of illustrative case study, clinical practice, research and short film presentations.

Key questions including the following will be considered:

•       Discuss possible definitions of and different kinds of spirit possession
•       Debate the key elements which typify spirit possession
•       Discuss who can make a diagnosis of spirit possession and how such a diagnosis might be made
•       Compare and contrast how spirit possession might be viewed by clinicians, religious leaders, healers, the "patient", family and community members
•       Discuss the value of using the patient's explanatory model of the illness
•       Reflect upon the key issues associated with defining what is "normal" and "abnormal"
•       Discuss folk healing practices in different cultures and "treatment" options including exorcism
•       Consider whether there is a need to enhance joint working between mental health professionals and traditional healers.     

Programme of the day

9.00 - 9.30     Registration, Tea & Coffee
   
9.30 - 10.40     Introduction & Chair
                 Spirit Possession and Mental Health Services
                 Professor SASHI SASHIDHARAN     

10.40 - 11.30     Anthropology, Cognition and Spirit Possession
                 Dr. SIMON DEIN
   
11.30 - 11.45     Tea & Coffee
   
11.50 - 12.40     What happened to the Dybbuk? Spirit Possession in Judaism
                 Professor KATE LOEWENTHAL
   
12.40 - 1.00     Morning session Q&A     

1.00 - 2.00     Lunch & Networking     

2.00 - 2.50     What is Jinn Possession? Case studies from Egypt: Lessons for the UK
                 Dr. MOHAMMED ABOUELLEIL RASHED
   
2.50 - 3.40     Spirit Possession in Ladakh (North India, State of Jammu and Kashmir): Lessons for the UK
                 Professor SOPHIE DAY
   
3.40 - 4.00     Afternoon Q&A     

4.00 - 4.30     Plenary, Closure & Evaluation sheets     


Who Should attend?

This conference will be relevant to all interested in this field as well as all professionals, including those from Local Authorities and NHS trusts across the UK, Psychiatrists, GPs, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Counsellors, Early Intervention Teams, CPN’s, OT’s, Social Workers, Chaplains, Community Faith Leaders & Healers, Equality Leads, CommunityDevelopment Workers, Service User Representatives, Charities, Third Sector, Educational Establishments, Academics and Policy makers.     

Where?

Oxford House,
Derbyshire Street,
Bethnal Green,
London E2 6HG

www.oxfordhouse.org.uk
   
Conference Booking

Ahmed Qureshi (conference co-ordinator) tel. 07540 356 526
email us on: info@bmehealth.org or visit us on www.bmehealth.org