I work in a hospital and I see a lot of shit. Young people dying from cancer. Nice people with permanent brain damage. Lots of despair. While some people cope better with religion I also see that as denial of their situation. But overall I have to say humans are very resilient.
religion is good for a few unfortunates and has done some very good work in the past. It just shouldn't be used to make policy in the 21st century. Although us atheists had better do some altruistic deeds soon or we'll look pretty selfish
Having been in-patient and once dying of leukemia myself religion never played a part in my recovery. The obliging chaplain would come in-I never denied my situation. Maybe thats how I survived.