being judged, shamed or perceived as less worthy isolates the family, however, lack of awareness or resources exacerbate these problems. Another participant highlighted that many Muslim addicts believe they are sinners because the Quran and Hadith strictly prohibit the use of drugs and alcohol.
“The ability to articulate oneself and be heard goes a long way in promoting healthy social and emotional well-being, and we really try to foster this in a genuine way,” Majid said. “We see strong social and emotional connections as an integral part of mental health wellness.”
Many Muslim societies are dictated by strict guidelines that put restrictions on food, intoxicants, family life, clothing, politics and economics. Conventional Muslims often perceive foreign influences as threats and subsequently shelter their youth and children from anything that may shame or dishonor their family in the eyes of their community.
The study cited that previous research found Muslim families historically prefer alternative sources of support that are aware of and sensitive to cultural issues and draw from a religious foundation as opposed to mainstream sources of support and treatment that are perceived to stray from or undermine precious Islamic values.
Programs, such as Aloud, connect clients with elders, Imams and Sheiks more often than to traditional healthcare practitioners; while HOPE goes into schools, to teach children to look for signs and sources to prevent substance use and mental health problems, and into prisons, to motivate Muslim inmates to contact and utilize restorative justice and alternative to violence programs.
“[HOPE has] found the most effective strategies are those which address the real, everyday needs of people,” she said. “Religious spirituality offers an incredible coping mechanism for the ups and downs of life, but it can also be a cause of aggravation for many. [For example] a well-intentioned yet misplaced comment to a young person struggling with depression too, ‘be patient and pray,’ can end up doing more harm than good.”
