Bridging the Gap: Faith in Mental Health Services for Muslim Communities
A recent report by the Woolf Institute titled ‘Faith in Mental Health’ sheds light on the challenges Muslim communities face when accessing mental health services. Often labelled "hard to reach," Muslims seeking therapy or counselling find that their faith is either ignored or misunderstood, which discourages engagement with mainstream NHS services.
The report highlights that while stigma around mental health remains a factor, it is not the only reason for the underuse of services. Many Muslims want support but feel current provisions fail to address their religious and cultural needs. A key issue is the lack of religious literacy among healthcare practitioners, with many unaware of the importance of integrating faith into treatment plans.
Nafsiyat’s intercultural therapy services directly address these gaps by providing culturally competent care, which integrates an individual’s religious and cultural background into the therapeutic process. Additionally, we offer intercultural development training, ensuring that professionals and organisations, including those within the NHS, can increase their religious literacy. This helps practitioners to better understand and respect the role of faith in their clients' lives, creating more inclusive and supportive environments.
By bridging the gap between statutory services and culturally sensitive therapy, we aim to rebuild trust in mental health services and encourage greater engagement from Muslim communities. Through collaboration with grassroots organisations and increasing cultural competence, Nafsiyat is helping to create a more inclusive, effective mental health care system for all.
The Faith in Mental Health project underscores that with the right approach, Muslim communities can access holistic care that embraces both their faith and their mental well-being. Addressing the unique challenges they face will lead to more effective mental health support and a more inclusive healthcare system.