5 Muslim-Led Services tackling Mental Health Stigma

As research increasingly reveals the impact of racism and Islamophobia on mental health, it becomes evident that individuals within Muslim communities may face heightened risks of conditions like psychosis and depression.

Compounding these challenges are the pervasive barriers to seeking help, leaving many without the support they need.

Yet, within these communities lie powerful sources of resilience: faith, culture, and belief. 

Studies have shown that these elements can offer protective factors against mental health struggles, providing a foundation for both individual and collective empowerment.

In light of these findings, efforts are underway to harness tools for fostering improved mental well-being within Muslim communities.

By creating platforms for open dialogue about mental health, they aim to destigmatise the topic and encourage individuals to seek support without fear or hesitation.

This approach addresses immediate needs and lays the groundwork for sustainable, community-driven solutions to mental health challenges.

Inspirited Minds

Inspirited Minds is a grassroots mental health charity situated in London.

Established in 2014, it raises awareness, combats stigmas, and offers professional, non-judgmental, and confidential support to individuals.

While Inspirited Minds primarily serves individuals within the Muslim community, it remains inclusive of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Initial research underscored the challenge faced by many Muslims in seeking help, as they felt apprehensive about being understood by individuals unfamiliar with their culture.

The organisation endeavours to address this gap in support.

Their core values serve as the cornerstone of its mission, guiding its actions and principles.

Some of these include their compassionate approach to individual needs, striving to exceed expectations and effect enduring change, and treating each other with dignity and honesty.

Inspirited Minds’ counselling services adhere to rigorous standards such as:

• They don’t engage trainee or student therapists, aiming to provide a high standard of support
• Counselling commences with an Initial Assessment, conducted via telephone or video, typically lasting 30-40 minutes, followed by sessions lasting approximately 50 minutes
• A diverse range of therapeutic approaches is offered, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Humanistic Therapies
• Multilingual support is available in Arabic, Bengali, Dutch, French, Gujarati, Hausa, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, and Urdu
• Counselling sessions are conducted through various mediums, including face-to-face, telephone, and video

Find out more here. 

The Lantern Initiative

The Lantern Initiative is led by members of the Muslim community, with current operations spanning Peterborough and Leicester.

The initiative is driven by a committed team of volunteers dispersed across both cities.

Their primary goals include:

• Fostering understanding and awareness of mental health issues within the Muslim community
• Dismantling associated stigmas
• Empowering individuals to seek and access appropriate support

At the heart of their approach lies a unique and dynamic service model, offering tailored support and professional events, seminars, and workshops.

Attention to detail ensures that each interaction is nurturing, often culminating in mindfulness activities to promote self-care.

Interactive elements are integral to their events, maximising participant engagement and benefit.

Notably, guest speakers are experts in their respective fields drawn from minority communities, facilitating deeper connections for participants.

For over eight years, the initiative has organised more than 50 events and workshops across Peterborough, Milton Keynes, London, and Leicester.

Collaborating with psychotherapists, psychologists, and other skilled mental health professionals, they ensure the effective delivery of their programs.

Check them out here. 

Muslim Youth Helpline

The establishment of a culturally sensitive helpline service marked a pivotal moment, placing young people at the forefront of service delivery.

For many young British Muslims, navigating conflicting social expectations and a sense of not quite belonging can lead to despair during their formative years.

In a community where many social issues remain taboo, an increasing number of youths turn to self-harm and substance abuse as coping mechanisms.

In response to this pressing need, Muslim Youth Helpline (MYH) was established.

Driven by a set of core values, MYH strives to provide a non-judgmental and empowering support system for young Muslims.

Clients are encouraged to freely express themselves without fear of criticism, while also retaining autonomy over their decisions.

The helpline operates on principles of confidentiality, ensuring that client information remains secure and private.

Moreover, MYH’s helpline workers, hailing from Muslim communities across the UK, possess a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing these communities.

Trained in faith and cultural sensitivity, they provide invaluable support tailored to the specific needs of young Muslims.

By offering free and accessible support through various communication channels, MYH assists young Muslims in navigating the complexities of adolescence in today’s society.

See more of their work here. 

Sakoon

Established in 2006 by Ayesha Aslam, Sakoon was born out of a vision to make a meaningful difference within the community.

What began as a personal journey soon burgeoned into a vital service, particularly sought after by Muslim clients.

Recognising the need for culturally sensitive support, Ayesha embarked on a mission to recruit and train Muslim counsellors, ensuring that the services provided honoured one’s cultural values.

Ayesha’s journey didn’t stop there.

Evolving her skills, she became a clinical supervisor, training not only Sakoon’s counsellors but also extending her expertise to Muslim chaplains.

Her qualifications as a psychotherapist, psychologist, and Islamic counsellor, coupled with her accreditation, underscore her commitment to excellence in mental health support.

Comprising a dedicated team of experienced and qualified Muslim psychologists, Sakoon delivers therapeutic support in both the public and private sectors. 

Additionally, Sakoon has established connections with reputable solicitor firms in London and occasionally seeks advice from respected Sheikhs and Imams for guidance.

Sakoon is not only dedicated to individual well-being but also to community empowerment.

Through workshops, educational initiatives, and collaboration with local efforts, Sakoon actively contributes to positive change.

Addressing stigmas surrounding counselling, the organisation serves as a keynote speaker at conferences and offers expertise to support youth, families, and counsellors alike.

Visit their website here. 

Approachable Parenting

Approachable Parenting emerged to address the specific needs of Muslim families residing in the UK.

They offer a range of tailored services and courses that seamlessly integrate modern psychological theory with coaching techniques rooted in the Muslim faith.

Services provided by Approachable Parenting include pre-marriage workshops, marriage guidance sessions, parenting workshops, and comprehensive programs.

These are designed to support families throughout all stages of child development, from pregnancy to adolescence.

Additionally, the organisation offers personalised 1-to-1 parenting coaching support.

While Approachable Parenting primarily serves Muslim families, it also extends its expertise to other communities.

The platform boasts a successful train-the-trainer course, enabling qualified professionals to become licensed trainers and obtain the PTLLS teaching qualification.

Through pre-marriage and marriage education, parenting courses, and relationship coaching, Approachable Parenting contributes to the strengthening of family dynamics.

Get more information here. 

In conclusion, the journey toward destigmatising mental health within Muslim communities is ongoing and multifaceted.

By recognising the intersectionality of factors such as racism, Islamophobia, and faith, we can better understand the complexities of mental health experiences in these communities.

Through initiatives aimed at open dialogue and support, we pave the way for individuals to seek help confidently and for communities to thrive collectively.