#51 - Dr Rania Awaad: Modern Mental Health Needs a Psychospiritual Revolution

The lack of mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of human beings everywhere is in urgent need of grounded and effective solutions. To help make sense of the concepts and practicalities involved, I sat down with the wonderful Dr Rania Awaad. Dr Rania is a prominent psychiatrist, professor, and scholar known for her work in faith-based mental health and psychology. Based on her background as a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University School of Medicine, where she directs the Stanford Muslim Mental Health & Islamic Psychology Lab, she focuses on cultural and spiritual approaches to care. Dr. Awaad is also the co-founder and president of Maristan, a nonprofit dedicated to holistic mental health, and serves as director of The Rahmah FoundationMaristan YouTube channel.Follow Dr Rania.(0:00) Framing the discussion (1:46) What is the human being?(9:15) The nature of consciousness(16:35) Pausing to account for yourself(22:43) The power of prayer (salat)(30:16) Popularising spiritual practice(35:12) The importance of nature(37:38) Critiquing modern psychiatry (47:41) Improving modern psychiatry(54:11) Dr Rania’s Maristan project (1:06:51) Returning to our original nature(1:08:31) Advice to those entering the field