Mental Wellbeing

We understand that all of us will go through difficult or turbulent times, this can affect the way we feel and our mental health. We will go through periods of sadness and grief which is normal but sometimes it can become debilitating and we enter a period of depression and/or anxiety.
As Muslims, we know that life is a test and we inevitably face trials.
 
Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an :
And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient” Surah Al-Baqarah: 155
We can get much comfort and peace in turning to Allah (swt); remembering him frequently, turning to Him in prayer, reciting and understanding Qur’an and undertaking good deeds.
Speaking to family members, sincere friends can also help – they can advise us in finding answers and solutions to the difficulties we face.
There are also self-help & medical resources that can be helpful, some of these are listed below. It is always better to seek help rather than suffer in silence.
May Allah (swt) make it easy for all those suffering from distress.
Ameen

Useful links

Muslim Mental Health

That Muslim Life – Muslims and Mental Health – https://www.thatmuslimlife.com/muslims-and-mental-health

Inspirited Minds – Confidential support for mental health issues in Muslims – https://inspiritedminds.org.uk/

Muslims Youth Helpline – Helpline providing emotional support for Muslim youth – https://myh.org.uk/

Muslim Women Network UK – Helpline offering faith-sensitive support to Muslim women – https://www.mwnuk.co.uk/

Sakoon – Individual, couple, family counselling – https://www.sakoon.co.uk/

Mind Works UK – Psychological support to individuals, families, and groups – https://www.mindworksuk.co.uk/

Muslim Council of Britain (MCB)https://mcb.org.uk/resources/mental-health/ 

Muslim Counsellor and Psychotherapist Network (MCAPN) – Support for Muslim mental health practitioners – https://www.mcapn.co.uk/

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

Muslim Women Network (MWN) – 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  https://www.mwnhelpline.co.uk/

Inspirited Minds – The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. Podcasts can be found here: Podcast Link

Gambling addiction in the Asian/Muslim community –  https://youtu.be/6v0NjG6inWI

 

Apps for Mental Health:

SAKEENAH – An Islamic mindfulness & mental health app. Developed to improve emotional and mental well-being through peaceful guided Islamic stories. Mindful audio sessions and courses created by marrying modern science and religion.

SABR – An app for mental and spiritual health. The aim is to reduce anxiety, increase confidence, sleep better, and improve your relationship with Allah.

MINDFUL MUSLIM – An app for Muslims to improve their emotional and mental well-being through gentle guided audio talk-downs of Islamic stories.

This app allows you to build a playlist of Dua, Ruqyah, night Quran, nature sounds and gentle guided audio talk-downs to help you drift off to sleep.

Nawal Yousaf is currently working on ‘Fitra – an app which will use faith-based approaches combined with contemporary evidence-based psychotherapeutic practices and engaging technology to empower modern Muslims to actively measure, understand and improve their well-being. 

Anxiety

NHS website on Anxiety –  https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/anxiety/ 

Anxiety UK – Helps all those suffering from anxiety disorders. Self-help leaflets and contact lists. Self-help groups, counselling, phone self-help, email support – https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/

Mind UK https://www.mind.org.uk

Young Minds UK https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

NHS UK – https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/generalised-anxiety-disorder/treatment/

International Stress Management Association – www.isma.org.uk

Support Line UK – https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/anxiety/

No Panic Youth Hub – Helpline for anxiety disorders, panic attacks etc. Provides advice, counselling, listening, befriending and can make referrals. Local self-help groups and produces leaflets – https://nopanic.org.uk/youth-hub/

You can get Psychological therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and applied relaxation on the NHS. You can refer yourself directly to an NHS psychological therapy service (IAPT) without a referral from a GP. Or your GP can refer you if you prefer.

CBT: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/overview/

IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) – https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/

OCD Action UK – OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and related disorders including Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Skin Picking (CSP), Trichotillomania (TMM – compulsive hair pulling) – http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/

OCD UK – A leading charity that offers guidance, support, and advice https://www.ocduk.org/

BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) –  https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/we-can-help/

Depression

Videos about what depression feels like: 

What does depression look/feel like? Do you think you have it? What is depression PDF

World Health Organisation: Animation to explore what does depression feel like: https://youtu.be/XiCrniLQGYc

RCPSYCH: This 3 minute animation explores what it feels like to be depressed, the symptoms of depression and what help you can get if you are feeling depressed: https://youtu.be/dv82CywfKek

Depression UK – https://www.depressionuk.org/

NHS UK – https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/clinical-depression/overview/

Mind UK – https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/depression/about-depression/

Mental Health UK https://mentalhealth-uk.org/help-and-information/conditions/depression/

Royal College of Psychiatrists www.isma.org.ukhttps://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/problems-disorders/depression

Support Line https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/depression/

BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/we-can-help/

Muslim Youth Helpline – Helpline providing culturally sensitive support to Muslim youth under the age of 25. Outreach services include family mediation, face-to-face counselling and befriending. 0808 808 2008  http://www.myh.org.uk/

The Mix for under 25s –  Whether you need a quick chat or more focused support, our trained team provides help for teenagers, under 25s and support for young people. Talk to us about your mental health, relationships, work life, school life, depression and any other issues all year round. Call us 4pm-11pm every day, email us, chat one-to-one online, sign up for free counselling online or text our 24/7 crisis line. https://www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team

Suicide Prevention

What is suicide? If anyone is suicidal, this video helps to understand

NHS – https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/help-for-suicidal-thoughts/

Campaign Against Living Miserably – https://www.thecalmzone.net/

Talk to a Psychiatrist (Talk Mind) – https://www.talkmind.co/

Domestic Violence

What is Domestic Violence? Are you facing domestic violence but don’t realise it?

These short animated videos will explain what domestic violence is:

Police Service Awareness video on Domestic Abuse – https://youtu.be/vj31gMwlduA

Identify different types of domestic violence, video in Urdu – https://youtu.be/Fk9RX6MQwM8

National Domestic Violence Hotline – https://www.thehotline.org/

Women’s Aid – https://www.womensaid.org.uk/womens-aid-directory/

Men’s Advice line – https://www.womensaid.org.uk/womens-aid-directory/

Respect – https://www.respect.uk.net/

Independent Choices – https://www.domesticabusehelpline.co.uk/

Other useful websites and information

Free or subsidised psychotherapists – https://freepsychotherapynetwork.com/

 

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Services – https://www.cafcass.gov.uk/

A short video explaining the work of CAFCASS – Working with you and your children – YouTube

 

Child Abuse Prevention and Protection 

NSPCC – https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

My Tazkiyah – My Tazkiyah is the place where Muslim Males and Females struggling with Pornography Addiction and Sexually destructive behaviours can find Recovery and Freedom – https://www.mytazkiyah.com/

Winstons Wish – Support for grieving children and young people after the death of someone important https://www.winstonswish.org/

Dementia Help – Meri Yaadain – Dementia in the Muslim community, there are these excellent sites to seek help and information from:http://www.meriyaadain.co.uk/

Dementia UK is a large charity that provides information about dementia, as well as support ( 0800 888 6678) https://www.dementiauk.org/

Age UK is another large charity that offers information and advice, and has local groups for patients and carers to join (0800 678 1602) https://www.ageuk.org.uk/

If you are worried about someone with memory loss or other difficulties, make an appointment with your GP

If an emergency, contact NHS 24 on 111

For more information about dementia, visit the following NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/about/

Alzhemers Help: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk

 

Addiction Problems? Seek help:

 

Beating Addiction offers support on overcoming dependence and addiction: http://www.beatingaddictions.co.uk

Drug Wise UK provides support and information on drug, tobacco, and alcohol use: https://www.drugwise.org.uk

DAN 24/7 offers a drug and alcohol helpline, for English speakers (0808 808 2234 or text DAN to 81066): https://dan247.org.uk

Gambling Addiction: Gamblers Anonymous offers support and information for those with gambling addiction:https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk

Mind, the mental health charity, have an extensive list of further support groups for all kinds of addiction: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/

For more information about addiction and how to get help, visit the following NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/drug-addiction-getting-help

Helplines

Anxiety Helplines

NHS – Call your GP if you are struggling to cope with anxiety, fear, or panic if the things you are trying to do for yourself are not helping.

No panic helpline – 0300 772 9844

Anxiety UK – 0344 477 5774

Mental Health UK – 0844 477 5774

Depression Helplines

NHS – Please call your GP and discuss if you feel you are suffering from Depression. There are treatments that can and will help you if needed.

Samaritans – To talk about anything that is upsetting you: 116 123 (Free from any phone)

SANEline – If you’re experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 772 9844  (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK – Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK  on 0800 689 5652 (6pm–3:30am every day).

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service

Shout – If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.

Breathing Space – 0800 83 85 87

Hopeline UK: 0800 068 4141

The Mix – If you’re under 25 and need help but don’t know where to turn, call us for FREE on 0808 808 4994

 

Text YM to YoungMind’s Textline on 85258

Suicide Helplines

Call your GP – Ask for an emergency appointment if at risk to self or others

Call 111 – Out of hours. They will find the support and help you need

Childline – For children and young people under 19 – 0800 1111

Papyrus – For people under 35 0800 068 4141 (9am to midnight everyday)

Hopeline UK: 0800 068 4141

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – 0800 58 58 58 (5pm to midnight everyday)

Domestic Violence Helplines

Police:  999 in case of Emergency.

National Domestic Violence Helpline – 0800 799 7233

National Domestic Abuse Helpline – If you are worried that a friend, neighbour or loved one is a victim of domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free and confidential advice, 24 hours a day – 0808 2000 247

Supportline –  08 08 16 89 111

Greater Manchester Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0800 254 0909

 

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