COVID-19 and spiritual well-being: implications for social work

ABSTRACT Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has presented unprecedented health challenges across all strata in society throughout the world. During this time, spiritual care forms a vital component of holistic health management, especially in terms of coping, coming to terms with illness, sufferings, and ultimately death. Spiritual care deals with the provision of compassion and empathy during the time of heightened stress, distress, and anxiety. Spirituality refers to the individual’s personal experience that provides a greater sense of inner peace, harmony, hopefulness, and compassion for others and oneself. The term “Spiritus” is a latin word which means “the breath,” that is the most vital element for life. Religiousness may focus on the personal attitude, emotions, and personality factors. Spirituality may encompass positive emotions- love, hope, joy, forgiveness, compassion, trust, gratitude, and awe. Religion refers to the interpersonal and institutional aspects of religio-spirituality based on the doctrine, values, and traditions of a formal religious group. This paper seeks to highlight the role of spirituality in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic with use of social work throughout this process.