Free online course exploring mental health in Muslim communities

We are delighted to announce a brand new free online course, developed by the Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK, part of School of History, Archaeology and Religion, supported by Cardiff Learning and Teaching Academy.

Understanding Muslim Mental Health

This course, hosted on Future Learn, examines how Muslims experience and understand mental health, and is primarily designed for those who provide mental health support in Muslim communities. You can study this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments. The course has been designed to be as interactive and engaging as possible. Registration is open now, and the course begins in May.

About the course

Poor mental health is a global problem and a leading cause of disability and premature death. Whilst faith can help to address mental health problems, it can also contribute to them. Additionally, the circumstances facing some Muslims can affect their mental health, for example low socio-economic status and Islamophobia.

Research shows that Muslims in Britain are under-referred to mainstream services for mental health problems. When they do access services, their rates of improvement are lower. Better awareness of Muslim experiences of mental health may lead to more effective support for Muslim communities.

Created in partnership with the Cardiff Learning and Teaching Academy, which aims to support staff in delivering an engaging and inclusive experience for all students.

Topics covered

• How the Muslim worldview, religious practices and beliefs affect mental health
• How mental health is understood in Islam
• How mental health problems are experienced by Muslims, with a focus on common mental health problems eg: addiction, depression and OCD
• An overview of existing mental health support in Muslim communities and good practice recommendations.

Who it's for

This course has been designed for people who provide mental health support in Muslim communities as part of their professional practice. This includes practitioners such as mental health nurses, GPs, psychologists, police officers and social workers; and those providing pastoral care from a religious perspective, for example, imams and chaplains.

Find out more

Full details are available on Future Learn. Registration is open now - the programme begins in May 2022.

If you'd like to explore how we can support your organisation or business with professional development opportunities, please contact our friendly team: