The Muslim Mental Health Alliance

In this video, Jamilla Hekmoun, chair of the Muslim Mental Health Alliance (MMHA), introduces the Alliance and it’s aims.

Alongside her work on the Alliance, Jamilla is trustee for the Muslim Youth Helpline and is completing a PhD on the topic of the mental health of Muslim men. Jamilla shared her lived experience of mental health problems in Week 3 of the course.

The MMHA (renamed from Muslim Mental Health and Wellbeing Alliance) came together in March 2020, as a Coronavirus Response Group that focused on Muslim mental health. Their aim was to provide information, support and guidance on mental health relating to the pandemic because they recognised that people were dealing with issues that might impact on their mental health. This included monthly webinars on topics relevant to the Muslim community, including suicide and the mental health of young people (links to webinar recordings are included below).

MMHA members have continued to work together and seek to expand the Alliance to include other member organisations who provide mental health support for Muslims, with the aim of working responsively to support the mental health needs of Muslims.

MMHA includes some of the most prominent grass-roots Muslim mental organisations in Britain. Here is a list of the members of MMWHA, including links to their websites.

Members of the Muslim Mental Health Alliance

• Inspirited Minds: a Muslim mental health charity that provides support for those experiencing mental health difficulties
• Muslim Counsellor and Psychotherapist Network: an international network for Muslim Counsellors, Psychotherapists, Psychiatrists and Counselling Psychologists
• British Islamic Medical Association: a national organisation that aims for Muslim healthcare professionals in the UK. BIMA also provides medical information for mental health
• Muslim Youth Helpline: point of crisis support for those that need emotional support and signposting. Their core service is a free and confidential Helpline, available nationally via the telephone, email, live chat, and letters. The service uses male and female volunteers trained in basic counselling skills to respond to client enquiries
• Approachable Parenting: support service for Muslim families, and training for organisations who work with Muslim families.
• Muslim Women’s Network UK: services for Muslim women include a national specialist faith and culturally sensitive Helpline which offers information, support, guidance, and referrals for those who are suffering from, or at risk of abuse, and other problems
• Sakoon: Islamic counselling service for individuals, couples, and families. Sakoon supports the wellbeing of people, communities and organisations through counselling, education, outreach, and advocacy
• MindWorks UK: psychological support service for women who have suffered from or are going through domestic violence and sexual abuse. It works collaboratively with other agencies to provide support.

Other significant Muslim-led grassroots mental health organisations who are not members of MMHA include:

The Lantern Initiative: a grassroots community organisation providing mental health events, workshops, and seminars. Working to raise awareness of Muslim mental health issues and empower Muslim communities

Muslim Community Helpline: A national organisation for women, men, youth, and children providing a confidential, non-judgmental listening and emotional support service.

Signposting

Recordings of MMHA webinars:

Coping with change: Mental Health CRG Webinar – Coping With Change – YouTube

Men’s mental health and the role of fatherhood: Mental Health CRG Webinar – Men’s Mental Health and the Role of Fatherhood – YouTube

Muslims and suicide prevention: Mental Health CRG Webinar – Muslims & Suicide Prevention – YouTube.

Over to you

Have you heard of any of these organisations before, and if so, which ones? Which one would be most helpful to you in your work, and why?