Building Perspective and Building Faith
What NOT to Say to a Muslim Struggling with Their Mental Health
By Nurul Afiqah
It’s ironic how difficult it can be to find comfort among religious people when religion itself is supposed to be a source of comfort. Mentally ill people seeking support from among their friends and family in the Muslim community are often met with ignorance wrapped in well-meaning, faith-inspired advice.
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Psychology Today: How Muslims Are Fighting Mental Health Stigma
By Laura Lee Huttenbach
Growing up, Naureen Ahmed never felt comfortable inviting her friends from school over to play. Some days, her mother, Seema, would be happy—dressed in an elegant sari, wearing bright red lipstick, painting or sculpting or dancing or singing. On other days, Seema paced the house, ranting. She flicked the lights on and off. She sometimes became aggressive, on occasion slapping, hitting, or choking her children.
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‘A curse from God’ - the stigma of mental illness in Pakistan
Although up to 40 percent of the population could have mental health issues, getting help isn’t easy in Pakistan. The stigma against mental illness is prevalent, and even for those who do want to get help, psychiatrists are in short supply. As part of our “Agents For Change” series, Fred de Sam Lazaro looks at the efforts being made to change this situation.
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Ramadan and Mental Health
…As much excitement as Ramadan can bring, it can also be a time of difficulty for those with severe mental health disorders (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia etc), eating disorders and those on psychiatric medications. Ramadan can bring its own challenges for these followers and, with it, feelings of sadness, confusion, embarrassment, fear and isolation at the thought of possibly giving up fasting to maintain their mental and emotional wellness. Many may find it hard to talk to their fellow Muslims about their feelings of stress and impending struggle with Ramadan, for fear of being judged.
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