Earlier this year, two mega-studies answered yes!
One study looked at twenty years of published research and concluded that “religious/spiritual involvement” was linked with mental health benefits in 72% of factors studied (1). Only 5% of the religious factors were associated with a negative mental health impact.
The other study looked at seven thousand people, examining the links between mental health, religion, and spirituality. Researchers found that those who identified themselves as spiritual but not religious were more likely to be dependent on drugs or suffer from anxiety disorder than those who reported a “religious framework”(2).
Back when I was a psychiatry resident, I had the pleasure of working with David Larson -a pioneer in the area of the scientific study of religion. He introduced me to his ‘systematic review’ method of analyzing multiple research studies at the same time, in order to reach a unified conclusion. Before long my employer (the Army) ended its support of my research interest (the Army needed psychiatrists – not scientists), but not before developing an appreciation for these mega-studies, technically referred to as meta-analyses.
In a similar fashion, Drs. Koenig and Bonelli analyzed twenty years of scientific research and concluded that religious involvement is good for your mental health (1). Others have used this method to demonstrate benefits to physical health as well.
These mega-studies offer clear findings that religious practice can be a very good thing. The benefits of individualized spirituality outside of a religious framework, however may not be so good. So look inside yourself and rekindle your prayer life as you look around your community for a healthy religious group to join. Nurturing your spirit will benefit your mind and body.
1. Journal of Religion and Health. June 2013. Bonelli & Koenig
2. British Journal of Psychiatry. January 2013. King & others
Breaking Through Depression and Anxiety 
Why is spirituality that is outside of religious framework not so good?
The authors of this study offer several opinions as to why “people who profess spiritual beliefs in the absence of a religious framework are more vulnerable to mental disorder”. One stated opinion was that emotional distress leads people to get “caught up in an existential search”.
Perhaps the more definitive answers and group support found in religious organizations have a more stabilizing effect on emotion than private spiritual searching.
Secularized religion has caused wars. Think of the Crusades. I’m using Catholicism as an example because it is the most widely religion followed in the world. It also causes separatism. Luther started a new religion for the very reason to be separated from the Catholic Church and every new form of religion after that was for the same reason. I would consider non-denominational Christianity the only ok Christian framework because it does not promote separatism among people. But for the most part religious framework has done more bad than good.
You speak for many people who have grown weary of organized religion. Unfortunately churches are run by people who sometimes behave badly. If you choose to return to church, remember the right reason to go: to look for God’s presence, His peace and direction. Look past the broken people in the parking lot and pulpit, and find what is good. As noted above, psychiatric research shows that activities like group worship and individual prayer are associated with better mental health.