Faith Equity in Mental Health: A Call for Change
At the Muslim Mind Collaborative (MMC), we advocate for the creation of a mental health system that truly serves the diverse needs of Muslim communities in the UK. We work at the intersections of faith, race, and health equity to ensure that mental health services are inclusive, faith and culturally competent, and responsive to the unique challenges faced by Muslim individuals.
Our recent Written Evidence Submission to the Joint Committee on the Draft Mental Health Bill (2025) is a pivotal part of our ongoing advocacy. It is a call for action to ensure that faith equity is integrated into the mental health system and that Muslim communities are not left behind in terms of care and support.
Why This Submission Matters
Muslim communities in the UK face significant mental health disparities, with systemic barriers, Islamophobia, anti-Muslim hate, and cultural insensitivity often exacerbating these challenges. Our submission calls for a statutory commitment to the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF), which aims to tackle these disparities head-on. This framework, when made statutory, would ensure that mental health services are not only inclusive but also responsive to the faith-based needs of Muslim individuals.
Key Points from the Submission:
- Systemic Disparities in Mental Health Access and Outcomes:
- Muslims are disproportionately likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act and face barriers in accessing care.
- The completion rate for NHS Talking Therapies is low among Muslims, with only 2.6% completing treatment in 2021-22.
- Disaggregated data on race, faith, and mental health outcomes is crucial for understanding and addressing these disparities.
- The Case for Statutory PCREF:
- The Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF) is currently voluntary, leading to inconsistent application and weak accountability.
- By making PCREF statutory, we can enforce mandatory data collection, ensure independent community involvement, and hold NHS Trusts accountable for addressing racial and faith-based inequalities.
- The Cost of Inaction:
- Muslims, particularly youth, face rising mental health risks due to Islamophobia, housing insecurity, and social exclusion. The report highlights the high rates of suicidal thoughts and low access to CAMHS services.
- Young Muslims often do not receive culturally competent mental health support, exacerbating their challenges and worsening their mental health outcomes.
- Recommendations for Change:
- Mandatory data collection on race, faith, and outcomes to improve the quality of care.
- Independent community involvement in designing and monitoring action plans at NHS Trust level.
- Fund culturally and faith-sensitive services, particularly those led by minoritised communities.
- Mandate Islamophobia and anti-racism training across all mental health services.
- What Statutory PCREF Would Achieve:
- Accountability for mental health services to ensure they meet the needs of Muslim communities.
- Improved data collection, making disparities visible and actionable.
- A more equitable and inclusive mental health system that recognises and addresses the specific needs of Muslim patients.
The Next Steps in the Mental Health Bill Review
On 25 June 2025, the Joint Committee on the Draft Mental Health Bill will conclude its review and issue recommendations. If the Bill does not sufficiently address the needs of Muslim communities, there will be an opportunity to engage MPs and propose amendments during the Report Stage of the Bill.
We will continue advocating for the statutory implementation of PCREF, as well as other essential reforms, to ensure faith equity and racial equity are central to mental health policy in the UK.
Download Our Full Submission
To read the full Written Evidence Submission by MMC, detailing our recommendations and supporting data, click below: