Episode Description: 

On this episode: Christianity 

We speak to Mick Williams, who has been the chaplain for Staffordshire University for 14 years.  Mick shares his experience of what Christianity is, what it means to be a believer, and what death looks like in Christianity.  Mick has spent time with student groups to help empower and break down barriers with religious terminology.  

We explore how healthcare professionals can meet the spiritual needs of patients within their care with some top tips from Mick to create a ‘toolbox’.  

Finally, Mick speaks about the importance of education around different religions for healthcare professionals, the importance of the body after death and the simple touches that can make huge differences to patients and families in end-of-life care. 

Web links from the show:

 Meeting Patients' spiritual needs during end-of-life care-O'Brian et al. (2018)

Qualitative study of healthcare professionals’ perception of training and skills, with many feeling unprepared and lack confidence when dealing with religious and spiritual needs. Themes found communication skills, not having answers and recognising spiritual care. The study concluded spiritual care is AS important as physical care. 

The religious correlates of death anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis – Jong et al, 2017

Death anxiety has been suggested to be lowest amongst the very religious, and highest among uncertain individuals. Does this mean it is more important to get it right? 

Enhanced Interplay of Neuronal Coherence and Coupling in the Dying Human Brain – Vicente et al, 2022

Study looking at the early evidence of what happens within the human brain during near death.
 
Guidance for staff responsible for care after death (last offices) – NHS National End of Life Care Programme

Wellbeing/Mental Health Support Contacts: 

If you are a student or staff member at Staffordshire University and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… Contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk. 


For external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention contacts can be found below. Please reach out if you feel you need to! 

NHS Mental Health Services -https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/

Samaritans Contact -https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Mind Support and Services-https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/

Upcoming Podcasts: 
Exploring dying and Death within other religions . 
experiences of being transgender service user. 
 
Previous Podcasts:  

Race, Transgender, Neurodiversity, impacts of trauma, Mature student experiences, Transition from student to healthcare professional, and specialised areas such as mental health and organ transplant teams. 
 
Want to get involved? 

Are you a student? Member of staff? A Healthcare worker? 
Do you have a topic you would like to share? 

Get in touch! Let’s Pod! 

Contact The Link podcast team: 

Ben W-H - @benw_h on X (formally Twitter) 
       ben.woodrow-hirst@staffs.ac.uk 
      @TheLinkPodcast on X (formally Twitter) 
Samuel O’Brian – samuel.obrian@staffs.ac.uk 
Joe Natalello – joseph.natalello@staffs.ac.uk 
 
Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst 
Produced & Edited by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst & Kirsty Egan 
Artwork: Shaun Kelly 
Theme Music: Gavin Samways