Muslim Mind Collaborative (MMC) encourage the Government
This letter was prepared by the Muslim Mind Collaborative (MMC), a collaborative formed as a result of years of research and community consultations conducted into the mental health and wellbeing of British Muslims and drawing on academia, statutory services, community practitioners, faith leaders, faith-led and psychotherapy services, our partners in the children’s care sector and those with lived experiences. Our aim is to widen the parameters of the agenda on mental health to consider the needs of faith communities.
MMC welcomes the Government’s call for evidence to inform its ten-year plan to improve mental health in England. We wholeheartedly agree that mental health needs parity with physical health, and are encouraged to see the Government embark upon a long-term, sustainable strategy to achieve this. In particular, we are pleased to see the Government rightly acknowledge the need to support communities at greatest risk.
It is in keeping with this key focus on those at greatest risk that MMC submits its contribution to this call for evidence. A recent report into the mental-health struggles of young British Muslims undertaken by Better Communities Better Network (BCBN) revealed that 4 in 5 Muslim young people said they had suffered mental health struggles, with 64% of survey participants in the study disclosing they had experienced suicidal thoughts. It also found that Muslim young people are 3 more times more likely to look for support from friends than accessing services with roughly the same amount of young people then not getting access to therapy, and that three in five young Muslims, (61%), say it is important to them that mental health services display cultural/ faith sensitivity.
A mental health plan which accounts for this diversity of experience amongst young people in England, and which includes a focus on faith and intersectionality, is key to achieving equitable outcomes in mental well-being.
How we can all promote positive mental wellbeing
Members of the Muslim Mind Collaborative (MMC) encourage the Government to promote positive mental well-being by taking a multi-pronged approach to promote mental welfare in England.
Acknowledging diversity of experience should be at the forefront of efforts in the drive f or positive mental well-being, and to level-up mental health. This includes paying attention to both individual needs and community context, and will undoubtedly involve recognising important aspects of identity, including faith.
As well as being a protected characteristic, faith can be used as a tool to leverage better mental well- being in many instances and MMC would be pleased to see the Government acknowledging the role this plays in resilience and mental health. Understanding the nuanced impression faith makes in modern British life when it comes to seeking and receiving mental care is critical to an inclusive approach to promoting positive mental well-being.
Recent research undertaken by BCBN which captures young Muslims’ experience, access and attitudes towards mental health services demonstrates that, amongst those young Muslims that experienced mental health struggles, 81% said that faith played a positive role in supporting their mental well-being. Such a strong and positive correlation cannot be ignored.
Equally important, is a frank and open understanding of how faith intersects with other aspects of identity and experience, including culture, class, employment, and the complexity of experience this creates. Client focused care which is not based on one ideology and accounts for this multiplicity of experience is integral to positive mental-well-being in England.
As well as societal context, MMC would urge the Government to focus on familial support, including support for key relationships such as parenting and care for other relatives. This holistic approach to mental care, which accounts for individuals’ micro and macro experiences, will ensure that people are being given the support to thrive in all aspects of their life, and be productive and contributing members of society.
Further, we believe raising awareness of mental well-being through education and preventative work, and highlighting positive achievement through events and ongoing dialogue is key to promoting good mental well-being.
How we can all prevent the onset of mental health conditions
The work to prevent the onset of mental health conditions must also exist outside of the NHS and be faith- and culture- sensitive to be truly effective. This should include a focus on providing IAPT programmes, peer support via community faith settings and wellbeing services to ensure equitable access to support services.
As well as signposting, a drive to ensure diverse communities are educated, well-informed, and possess the language to talk about mental health is key to ensuring early detection amongst the public. Prevention is envisaged through investing in communities and their resources, inclusive of creating access to opportunities across the population groups, and by ensuring basic living conditions and needs are met.
If pandemic figures demonstrate one in five Britons experienced some form of depression as early as 2021, it is clear a cultural shift on a grassroots level is necessary to stem the flow of mental ill-health. This will need to include increased social connection and support for positive and healthy relationships.
Mental health issues are compounded amongst Muslim communities who face greater barriers to health, education, employment and housing. The latest research shows that approximately 50% of Muslims in Britain live in poverty. With the links between economic insecurity and mental ill-health well documented, the Government must ensure wider contributing factors, and a faith-sensitive picture of mental health, is part of their plan to ensure good mental health outcomes for those most impacted.
Furthermore, mental health services must expand and increase to ensure they are reaching children, young people and families at an early stage, before unhelpful ways of coping become entrenched, and to offer accessible and appropriate support. This can be achieved through well-designed, effectively delivered specialist training for professionals so that they can deliver capacity-building psycho- education and support at an early stage.
Training, interventions, education and awareness raising programmes must not fall into a ‘one size fits all’ approach. The need to acknowledge the barriers faced by many in seeking support for their mental health, as well as the dynamics of relationships, and especially for young people who experience adverse childhood experiences and attachment disruptions.
How we can all intervene earlier when people need support with their mental health
In order to ensure effective early intervention, there must be a variety of support available to suit the needs of diverse communities, and ensure no one is left behind in the fight for good mental health. As well as levelling up mental and physical health, there is a need to level-up the mental health of these diverse communities across England to achieve parity of outcomes, and ensure a uniform improvement of mental health.
We believe suitable referral lists should be available which take into account faith. Recent research undertaken by BCBN demonstrates that 55% of Muslims who have experienced counselling expressed a preference to see a Muslim councillor or therapist, and MMC would welcome this need to be taken into account in the ten-year mental health plan.
For some communities who might anticipate not being understood by, or prejudice from, mainstream mental health support providers, efforts need to be made at a local community level to build bridges to mainstream support at the same time as encourage the development of locally based faith- and culture- sensitive services. These will be more effective in engaging families who might not otherwise seek help, and will help parents to better understand and support their children’s mental health, as well enable them to feel more confident about seeking professional help if necessary.
Key working links should be built between mental health trusts, general practitioners and community and faith leaders. Informal drop-in or group sessions should be held in local venues like mosques, schools and residential care settings to broaden access, promote understanding and destigmatise mental health care.
This broad range of support should also focus on relationships and connections as well as deeper concepts such as trust and faith.
How we can improve the quality and effectiveness of treatment for mental health
MMC believes this will require targeted funding to support local communities at the grass-roots, seeking to develop faith- and culture- sensitive mental health support, as well as to ensure than mainstream mental health services make themselves aware of barriers to accessing their services and how to improve this.
Most mainstream services are inundated with referrals, if community mental health resources are developed and supported at the same time, mainstream services will be able to refer appropriate referrals and so reduce the pressure and waiting times, and provide local options for families to
encourage access. The success of such an approach is evident in the Reflection Network pilot projects in North Kensington and Barnet. This will also allow for more trainee placements at a local level, therefore contributing to the training of a more diverse and diversity-aware workforce.
Other measures that members feel will improve quality and effectiveness include using psychometric testing and seeking, incorporating feedback from clients, separate units for men and women, training of community members – including faith leaders – to become local mental health champions, support and upskilling of frontline workers and the involvement of those with lived experience in the design of services.
MMC members also expressed a need to remove any profiteering from mental ill health in the public sector – to put people before profit.
How we can all support people with mental health conditions to live well
Research and data collection is key to ensuring the best outcomes for those with mental health conditions. Surveys and research of client needs and follow-up plans should be part of efforts to do this, as should further research into the barriers to seeking help for marginalised communities. For example, finding out about the experience and outcomes for Muslim-heritage families who manage to access CAMHS. Furthermore, those with lived experience of mental health conditions should be involved in the design of services.
Developing and maintaining easily accessible online resources for a range of information and support when needed, both self-help and external, is crucial to this effort also.
MMC encourages the Government to increase the breadth of care allowance to include family who are supporting others with mental health conditions. Family connection is important for those with mental health conditions, and therefore resources should be made available to families so they have the capacity and time to do so.
Holistic and patient centred programmes which help service users to get involved physically and mentally is another factor which will support integration and better outcomes for those living with mental health conditions.
How we can all improve support for people in crisis
Public awareness campaigns on warning signs for those approaching or in crisis is necessary to ensure full support of those worst impacted by mental-ill health. This must be coupled with education on local services, what happens when a family is in crisis and what constitutes an acceptable level of care so people are equipped with the knowledge on how best to seek support.
Further research also needs to be undertaken and publicised on the range of options for people in crisis, including those who prefer not to seek help from mainstream services. Faith- and culture- sensitive training for CAMHS crisis workers is also necessary for effective support at the acute end of services, as is building trust between mainstream services and local communities who might fear the consequences of seeking mainstream help in a crisis.
Nearly one in five young Muslims surveyed by BCBN said they had harboured suicidal thoughts “many times” (19%). An almost equal number said they had done so “sometimes” (18%) and about a quarter said they had “occasionally” experienced suicidal thoughts, (24%). These are staggering
figures which underscore the importance of centring faith in understanding and improving mental health and mental health services in England at all levels while still recognising the salience on emphasising on young people.
MMC promotes a faith-centric approach to support for those in crisis to guarantee the best possible care and outcomes, as well as a more joined up, client-focused, confidential and accessible support service which centres on the lived experience of service users. MMC looks forward to providing further lived-experience, professional and academic insight and expertise to ensure the Government achieves its aim to address health disparities across the country and to improve the mental wellbeing of the nation by 2030.
MMC member’s collective response to Governments Call for Evidence for a new 10-year plan to improve mental health and wellbeing. Submission on Thursday 7th July 2022
How can we all promote positive mental wellbeing?
Members of the Muslim Mind Collaborative (MMC) encourage the Government to promote positive mental well-being by taking a multi-pronged approach to promote mental welfare in England
Acknowledging diversity of experience should be at the forefront of efforts in the drive for positive mental well-being, and to level-up mental health. This includes paying attention to both individual needs and community context, and will undoubtedly involve recognising important aspects of identity, including faith.
As well as being a protected characteristic, faith can be used as a tool to leverage better mental well- being in many instances and MMC would be pleased to see the Government acknowledging the role this plays in resilience and mental health. Understanding the nuanced impression faith makes in modern British life when it comes to seeking and receiving mental care is critical to an inclusive approach to promoting positive mental well-being.
Recent research undertaken by Better Communities Better Networks (BCBN) which captures young Muslims’ experience, access and attitudes towards mental health services demonstrates that, amongst those young Muslims that experienced mental health struggles, 81% said that faith played a positive role in supporting their mental well-being. Such a strong and positive correlation cannot be ignored.
Equally important, is a frank and open understanding of how faith intersects with other aspects of identity and experience, including culture, class, employment, and the complexity of experience this creates. Client focused care which is not based on one ideology and accounts for this multiplicity of experience is an integral plank in the path to positive mental-well-being in England.
As well as societal context, MMC would urge the Government to focus on familial support, including support for key relationships such as parenting and care for other relatives. This holistic approach to mental care, which accounts for individuals’ micro and macro experiences, will ensure that people are being given the support to thrive in all aspects of their life, and be productive and contributing members of society.
Further, we believe raising awareness of mental well-being through education and preventative work, and highlighting positive achievement through events and ongoing dialogue is key to promoting good mental well-being.
How can we all prevent the onset of mental health conditions?
The work to prevent the onset of mental health conditions must also exist outside of the NHS and be faith- and culture- sensitive to be truly effective. This should include a focus on providing IAPT programmes and peer support via community faith settings and wellbeing services to ensure equitable access to support services.
As well as signposting, a drive to ensure diverse communities are educated, well-informed, and possess the language to talk about mental health is key to ensuring early detection amongst the public. Prevention is envisaged through investing in communities and their resources, inclusive of
creating access to opportunities across the population groups, and by ensuring basic living conditions and needs are met.
If pandemic figures demonstrate one in five Britons experienced some form of depression as early as 2021, it is clear a cultural shift on a grassroots level is necessary to stem the flow of mental ill-health. This will need to include increased social connection and support for positive and healthy relationships.
Mental health issues are compounded amongst Muslim communities who face greater barriers to health, education, employment and housing. The latest research shows that approximately 50% of Muslims in Britain live in poverty. With the links between economic insecurity and mental ill-health well documented, the Government must ensure wider contributing factors, and a faith-sensitive picture of mental health, is part of their plan to ensure good mental health outcomes for those most impacted.
Furthermore, mental health services must expand and increase to ensure they are reaching children, young people and families at an early stage, before unhelpful ways of coping become entrenched, and to offer accessible and appropriate support. This can be achieved through well-designed, effectively delivered specialist training for professionals so that they can deliver capacity-building psycho-education and support at an early stage.
Training, interventions, education and awareness raising programmes must not fall into a ‘one size fits all’ approach. The need to acknowledge the barriers faced by many in seeking support for their mental health, as well as the dynamics of relationships, and especially for young people who experience adverse childhood experiences and attachment disruptions.
How can we all intervene earlier when people need support with their mental health?
In order to ensure effective early intervention, there must be a variety of support available to suit the needs of diverse communities, and ensure no one is left behind in the fight for good mental health. As well as levelling up mental and physical health, there is a need to level-up the mental health of these diverse communities across England to achieve parity of outcomes, and ensure a uniform improvement of mental health.
We believe suitable referral lists should be available which take into account faith. Recent research undertaken by BCBN demonstrates that 55% of Muslims who have experienced counselling expressed a preference to see a Muslim councillor or therapist, and MMC would welcome this need to be taken into account in the ten year mental health plan.
For some communities who might anticipate not being understood by, or prejudice from, mainstream mental health support providers, efforts need to be made at a local community level to build bridges to mainstream support at the same time as encourage the development of locally based faith- and culture- sensitive services. These will be more effective in engaging families who might not otherwise seek help, and will help parents to better understand and support their children’s mental health, as well enable them to feel more confident about seeking professional help if necessary.
Key working links should be built between mental health trusts, general practitioners and community and faith leaders. Informal drop-in or group sessions should be held in local venues like
mosques, schools and residential care settings to broaden access, promote understanding and destigmatise mental health care.
This broad range of support should also focus on relationships and connection.
How can we improve the quality and effectiveness of treatment for mental health?
MMC believes this will require targeted funding to support local communities at the grass-roots seeking to develop faith- and culture- sensitive mental health support, as well as to ensure than mainstream mental health services make themselves aware of barriers to accessing their services and how to improve this.
Most mainstream services are inundated with referrals, if community mental health resources are developed and supported at the same time, mainstream services will be able to refer appropriate referrals and so reduce the pressure and waiting times, and provide local options for families to encourage access. The success of such an approach is evident in the Reflection Network pilot projects in North Kensington and Barnet. This will also allow for more trainee placements at a local level, therefore contributing to the training of a more diverse and diversity-aware workforce.
Other measures that members feel will improve quality and effectiveness include using psychometric testing and seeking, incorporating feedback from clients, separate units for men and women, training of community members – including faith leaders – to become local mental health champions, support and upskilling of frontline workers and the involvement of those with lived experience in the design of services.
MMC members also expressed a need to remove any profiteering from mental ill health in the public sector – to put people before profit.
How can we all support people with mental health conditions to live well?
Research and data collection is key to ensuring the best outcomes for those with mental health conditions. Surveys and research of client needs and follow-up plans should be part of efforts to do this, as should further research into the barriers to seeking help for marginalised communities. For example, finding out about the experience and outcomes for Muslim-heritage families who manage to access CAMHS. Furthermore, those with lived experience of mental health conditions should be involved in the design of services.
Developing and maintaining easily accessible online resources for a range of information and support when needed, both self-help and external, is crucial to this effort also.
MMC encourages the Government to increase the breadth of care allowance to include family who are supporting others with mental health conditions. Family connection is important for those with mental health conditions, and therefore resources should be made available to families so they have the capacity and time to do so.
Holistic and patient centred programmes which help service users to get involved physically and mentally is another factor which will support integration and better outcomes for those living with mental health conditions.
How can we all improve support for people in crisis?
Public awareness campaigns on warning signs for those approaching or in crisis is necessary to ensure full support of those worst impacted by mental-ill health. This must be coupled with education on local services, what happens when a family is in crisis and what constitutes an acceptable level of care so people are equipped with the knowledge on how best to seek support.
Further research also needs to be undertaken and publicised on the range of options for people in crisis, including those who prefer not to seek help from mainstream services. Faith- and culture- sensitive training for CAMHS crisis workers is also necessary for effective support at the acute end of services, as is building trust between mainstream services and local communities who might fear the consequences of seeking mainstream help in a crisis.
MMC promotes a faith-centric approach to support for those in crisis to guarantee the best possible care and outcomes, as well as a more joined up, client-focused, confidential and accessible support services which centres on the lived experience of service users.
Muslim Mind Collaborative Members Signatories:
Ali, Chief Executive, Strong Support Ayesha Khan (Dr), Founder, Care Start
Bal Thiara, Trusts & Foundations Manager, The Children’s Society Kaneez Shaid, Head of Community Engagement, Rethink Mental Illness Lauren Seager-Smith, Chief Executive, Kidscape
Mohammed Sidat, Chief Executive, IMO Charity
Rachel Abedi (Dr), CAMHS Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist; Director, Reflection Network
Rahmanara Chowdhry (Dr), Course Lead & Islamic Pastoral Care, Markfield’s Institute for Higher
Education
Sabah Gilani OBE, Chief Executive, Better Community Business Network; Director, Muslim Mind Collaborative
Shaqib Juneja, Senior Manager, My Foster Family Terunnum Shakeel, Board Member, NHS Muslim Network
Vanessa Morris, Chief Executive, Mind in the City, Hackney & Waltham Forest