Patient support
Spiritual care (optional)
For many people illness raises questions that are not medical: why this, what now, what is my life for. Engage with this section only if it is meaningful to you.
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Spiritual distress is real distress
Anger at God, loss of faith, feeling abandoned or punished, or a sudden hunger for meaning — these are common, and they affect wellbeing as much as anxiety does.
Spiritual care is not only for religious people. It covers anything that gives life meaning: nature, music, family, service, land, ancestors, work.
Questions people find useful
- What has carried me through hard things before?
- What do I want to be remembered for?
- Is there anything I need to say, forgive, or be forgiven for?
- What still gives me a sense of awe or peace, even now?
- What do I want at the end, in terms of ritual, prayer or presence?
Who can help
- Hospital chaplains and spiritual care teams — usually available to people of any faith or none, free, and used to sitting with doubt.
- Your own faith leader, imam, pastor, priest or elder.
- A counsellor comfortable with existential and meaning-focused work.
- Community and cultural elders, where that is your tradition.
Where to go next
Afya Companion offers education and self-help support. It does not diagnose, treat or replace care from your doctor, nurse, psychologist or dietitian. If something in your health changes, speak to your care team.