Frequent churchgoers have had better mental health during pandemic - poll

 (Photo: Unsplash/Adi Goldstein)

A new study has found that mental health remained stable for people who attended church frequently this year. 

While the mental health impact of the pandemic has been a source of concern for many people, the Gallup Poll found that Americans who went to church frequently were more likely to say their mental health this year was "excellent". 

Overall, around a third of Americans (34%) described their mental health as "excellent", down from 43% last year. 

Among those who attended church weekly though, this figure rose to 46%, even increasing on last year's figures, when 42% said the same. 

Of those who attended church nearly weekly or monthly, just over a third (35%) said their mental health was excellent.

Women were significantly less likely than men to say their mental health was excellent (27% vs 41%), as were Democrats in comparison to Republicans (29% vs 41%).

Gallup has been surveying Americans about their mental health in November every year since 2001.  

Typically, the proportion rating their mental health as excellent or good has ranged from 81% to 89% each year, but this year, that fell to a new low of 76%.

Gallup said the findings were "undoubtedly influenced by the coronavirus pandemic, which continues to profoundly disrupt people's lives, but may also reflect views of the election and the state of race relations, both of which were on Americans' minds this year." 

News
Correspondence from Alice in Wonderland author, Lewis Carroll, discovered in Lincoln Cathedral
Correspondence from Alice in Wonderland author, Lewis Carroll, discovered in Lincoln Cathedral

The letter mentions a number of people who partially inspired scenes from Carroll’s most famous work, Alice in Wonderland.

Cost of living tops list of concerns for young Australians in Christian survey
Cost of living tops list of concerns for young Australians in Christian survey

The annual survey by the national Christian charity shows a sharp and sustained shift in what matters most to young Australians.

Police still haven't decided if pro-life campaigner will be charged for silent prayer
Police still haven't decided if pro-life campaigner will be charged for silent prayer

Pro-life campaigner Isabel Vaughan-Spruce has had a legal Sword of Damocles over her head for 10 months as British authorities continue to decide whether or not to charge her for silent prayer in an abortion clinic buffer zone.

Most people in Britain believe that Christmas has become too commercial
Most people in Britain believe that Christmas has become too commercial

Many Brits want a return to tradition, a survey by the Children's Society has found.