As this stage of the Resilient Me programme wraps up, it is time to reflect on everything we have learnt and every young person we have met along the way. This programme gave us the unique opportunity to work with groups of Young Muslims within schools and community organisations, to help them understand how their … Continue reading Learning 1: Safety & Space
Well-being Intervention part one
Diversity Our first mental health and wellbeing intervention in a secondary school in Bromley was a success! Working with year 9 students has been a wonderful, insightful and amazing experience. We learnt new things every day from these young people who have inspired, motivated and left us with many interesting questions. Running six mental health … Continue reading Well-being Intervention part one
Misconcpetions on Mental Health in the Muslim Community: Myth 4 Praying will fix Mental Illness
Read part 3 Many people feel that praying regularly and consistently will make everything better. It is definitely recognised that praying can help and spirituality has an important role in the prevention and treatment of mental illness. Spirituality helps people understand their interpretation of the meaning of life and provides a sense of connection to … Continue reading Misconcpetions on Mental Health in the Muslim Community: Myth 4 Praying will fix Mental Illness
Resilient Me Anti-Racism Statement 07/2020
Resilience in Context Anti-Blackness in the UK Anti-Blackness in Muslim Communities In seeking to understand and support the mental health and wellbeing of young Muslims, we acknowledge that black Muslims make up an integral part of our community. We also acknowledge that anti-blackness is just as prevalent within Muslim institutions and cultures as in the … Continue reading Resilient Me Anti-Racism Statement 07/2020
Misconceptions on Mental Health in the Muslim Community: Myth 3 “Suicidal thoughts take you out of Islam”
Read Myth 2 And do not kill yourselves [or one another]. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful[Quran 4:29] Suicide is something that is considered a sin in many religions, Islam included. In Islam thinking about committing an action is not the same as carrying out that action “Allah says to the angels: If my … Continue reading Misconceptions on Mental Health in the Muslim Community: Myth 3 “Suicidal thoughts take you out of Islam”
Misconceptions on Mental Health in the Muslim Community: Myth 2 “You’ve got nothing to be depressed about”
Read Myth 1: Mental Illness is due to lack of faith Family and friends can sometimes compare their experiences to the experiences of someone facing mental health difficulties. They may feel that they have been through worse and had to cope and carry on, so there is no need for a person with ill health … Continue reading Misconceptions on Mental Health in the Muslim Community: Myth 2 “You’ve got nothing to be depressed about”
Promoting Positive Mental Health in The Muslim Community: Part 1
Spirituality is described as a personal connection with or belief in something bigger then oneself and religion is described as the formal, institutional and outward expressions of one’s relationship to spirituality. Such as the Islamic practices of prayer and fasting and connected beliefs. There have been many studies which show a positive link between … Continue reading Promoting Positive Mental Health in The Muslim Community: Part 1
Islamophobia, Identity & Teenage Angst
Exploring the links between Islamophobia, identity and the mental wellbeing of young Muslims. First Published on Inspirited Minds 29/12/2020 As Islamophobia awareness month was in November, the learning that has occurred through this month needs to continue on. Professionals working with young Muslims need to look at how Islamophobia awareness impacts their practice. The effects … Continue reading Islamophobia, Identity & Teenage Angst
Why Resilient Me?
BCBN in collaboration with the University of East London & Inspirited Minds launched a national campaign to better understand mental health experiences of British Muslim’s (aged 18-30). They have since published the Hidden Survivors Report which shows the need for culturally competent and faith sensitive mental health and wellbeing services. Here are some of the top findings from the report I would … Continue reading Why Resilient Me?
Misconceptions on Mental Health in Muslim Communities – Part 1
People who are suffering from anxiety, depression or other types of Mental Illness can often be told that this is due to their lack of faith and trust in Allah. Some think that if a person truly believed in qadr (predestination) and Allah’s جل جلاله power over all things then they wouldn’t be anxious or depressed.