This paper summarizes findings showing religion and spirituality may have a protective effect on mental health. A Nurses’ Health Study demonstrated a correlation between regular service attendance and lower levels of depression and suicide. This can be attributed to religion fostering healthy behaviors, social integration, providing social support, and enhancing optimism and a sense of purpose in life. Additionally, a meta-analysis of ten prospective studies with over 136,000 participants found that having a higher sense of purpose in life was associated with a reduced relative risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events.