The truth is – we’re a long way of having a safe space for Muslims to talk to about mental health. Although there are pockets of people and organisations that are reaching those audiences, there’s still a lot of work to be done as individuals and communities.

If you or someone you love is experiencing suicidal thoughts, it’s important to get the professional help they need. You may not be able to support them, or be qualified enough to provide them with the level of support they require. However, in this blog we will be sharing ways on how we can create safe spaces within the Muslim community to improve mental health.

1. Educate

Host workshops and sessions to inform people from the local community about mental health, and the warning signs of suicide. Make these classes accessible – both in terms of the location, and the languages they are hosted in. These classes can be held in local community centres or even within Islamic environments.  Educating people will keep people aware of what the warning signs are and how to help.

2. Involve religious leaders

Mental health is touched upon within lectures, but suicide specifically is not spoken about often. If you’re in a position where you’re able to host a speaker or suggest a topic of discussion, encourage religious leaders to speak about the severity of mental health, and its implications. This will help people see it from a religious perspective, and opens their hearts and minds to understanding it. This can help remove some of the shame and taboo, preventing people from reaching out when they desperately need support.

3. Open conversations

Be it online on person – via a podcast or webinar provide a space where people can come together and discuss their thoughts in a safe and informative way. Be it an interactive session or a more intimate group, there should be spaces where people from different age groups can talk about their thoughts and concerns in a safe space.

It would be extremely beneficial to have these spaces incorporated within youth groups, or even at the mosque at an allocated time, so that they are getting their support and information from professionals within an Islamic setting. If there aren’t any facilities at the mosque, or community centre to use, then they should be sign posted to trusted organisations that can help.

4. Keep it confidential

Following on from the previous point of offering space, it can be detrimental if someone struggling with these thoughts feels as though their voice is not protected when shared in a safe space. Everything they share should be kept confidential, unless they are serious risk of harming themselves or others.

5. Get professionals involved

When addressing mental health issues, you’ve got to get the professionals involved. You can encourage a local professional to come to the mosque, youth club or community centre and offer a talk on mental health, and or techniques to alleviate and tolerate distress.  

On World Suicide Prevention Day, we bring light an issue which shatters the lives of many within Muslim households, but isn’t spoken about enough. The tips above are ways in which we can create safe spaces within the Muslim community, and destroy the stigma attached towards it – to help save lives.

Seek help

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, then contact emergency services, you can call 999 to ask for an ambulance, or take them to A&E at their local hospital.

You can also suggest that they can contact one of the following helplines:

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. 0800 689 5652 (open 24/7).

Papyrus HOPELINEUK –  If you’re under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call on 0800 068 4141 (weekdays 10am-10pm, weekends 2pm-10pm and bank holidays 2pm–10pm), email [email protected] or text 07786 209 697.

CALM – Campaign Against Living Miserably – You can call 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.

Samaritans: Any time, day or night. Call 116 123. It’s free, and 24/7. If you need someone to talk to. You won’t be judged or told what to do.

NHS Urgent Mental Health Helpline – This helpline is for all ages. You can find the one suited to you by clicking here. You can call for 24-hour advice and support – for you, your child, your parent or someone you care for; to speak to a mental health professional; an assessment to help decide on the best course of care

Send a text: Text “SHOUT” to 85258. This free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging mental health support service is run by a charity called Mental Health Innovations.

Muslim Youth Helpline: A helpline any day of the week between 4pm and 10pm. You can call at: 0808 808 2008.

The Listening Place – offers face to face support for those in London who feel that life is no longer worth living. https://listeningplace.org.uk/

Call on 020 3906 7676