The Association of Mental Health Providers recently hosted an insightful webinar titled “Islamophobia and Mental Health,” attended by organisations across the wider mental health sector. The session brought together experts and key voices to examine the profound and complex ways in which Islamophobia affects mental well-being.
Evidence highlights the urgent need for such discussions. According to the BCBN 2021 Hidden Survivors report, 70% of individuals reporting mental health challenges also identified Islamophobia as a significant factor impacting their well-being. Furthermore, in 2021-22, over 45,000 Muslims accessed talking therapies in the UK, but only 37.5% completed their treatment—underscoring the barriers that prevent many Muslims from receiving adequate mental health care.
This webinar came at a crucial time, amidst growing concerns about the deep-rooted mental health impacts of Islamophobia. Recent events have further intensified these challenges. In August, riots swept across parts of the UK, specifically targeting Muslim communities. These riots not only shattered the sense of security for many but also exposed individuals directly to violence, intimidation, and fear in their own neighbourhoods.
The climate of hostility has been further exacerbated by ongoing Islamophobic narratives linked to international crises. Against this backdrop, the webinar explored how the UK’s mental health sector can better support Muslim communities by offering evidence-based insights and promoting community-driven solutions.
Key Reflections from the Speakers
The event featured distinguished speakers who shared impactful insights:
Maaria Mahmood, Muslim Youth Helpline: “Training mental health professionals to understand Islam, its values, and the impact of Islamophobia is essential to creating culturally aware therapists who can address how discrimination affects mental health.”
Stephen Abdullah Maynard, The Lateef Project: “When we think about mental health, we generally gravitate towards a perspective rooted in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly from Europe and the US, which is predominantly secular. The irony here is that, if we look at the stats, 84% of the global population believe in a faith. Muslims make up 25% of humanity, so a secular approach to psychological wellbeing doesn’t necessarily align with the reality of who we are as Muslims. We understand that mental health is not just psychological; it is psycho-spiritual. We have to change the dialogue. We need to start thinking about therapies and mental health approaches in a way that truly engages with the realities of Muslim lives and their faith, allowing us to understand the psycho-spiritual nature of their well-being.”
Abdirahim Hassan, Coffee Afrik: “Muslim-led organisations remain one of the least commissioned groups in the country—an intentional oversight, in my view. Restorative justice demands we address why funding isn’t reaching the many great organisations doing vital work.”
Sabah Gilani OBE, Muslim Minds Collaborative: “To effectively support the mental health and wellbeing of Muslim communities, we must advocate for tailored, trauma-informed care, move beyond Eurocentric models, and provide culturally safe spaces for expression. Building faith and cultural competence within mainstream services, supporting sustainable, community-driven funding, and shifting towards preventive mental health measures are crucial steps. Improving representation within mental health services ensures that Muslim practitioners can lead and advocate for their communities. Solidarity isn’t passive; it’s proactive. By challenging systemic limitations, fostering trust, and creating culturally respectful spaces for dialogue and representation, we can make a meaningful impact on the mental health and wellbeing of Muslim communities.”
Moving Forward: Addressing Systemic Challenges
The webinar underscored the urgent need for systemic change to tackle the dual challenges of Islamophobia and mental health stigma. Key takeaways included the importance of embedding faith competence into mental health services, ensuring equitable funding for Muslim-led organisations, and fostering solidarity across communities to position Islamophobia as a shared human rights issue rather than a “Muslim issue.”
These discussions serve as a powerful reminder that addressing Islamophobia’s impact on mental health requires collective effort, collaboration, and actionable change. The work must extend far beyond Islamophobia Awareness Month to create mental health services that are inclusive, faith-sensitive, culturally appropriate, and accessible to all communities.
About the Muslim Mind Collaborative
The Muslim Mind Collaborative (MMC) is a free membership network and partner of Mind, uniting over 50 voluntary and community sector organisations across the UK. Its mission is to improve the mental health and well-being of Muslim communities through awareness, collaboration, advocacy, and research. MMC showcases positive efforts, explores collaboration opportunities, and highlights best practices, providing targeted support. Our work emphasises the importance of addressing the mental health impacts of discrimination and combating Islamophobia to promote social justice and well-being.
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