Written by Zainab Khan, APCC, M.A., Ed.S. | Maristan
Prevalence in the Muslim Community
The rising rates of mental health challenges in the Muslim community, particularly among Muslim women and adolescents, have become a significant concern. According to the American Psychiatric Association (2018), Muslim women are more likely to experience racial discriminatory-related stress at higher rates than Muslim men. Adolescent girls, in particular, deal with the emotional and psychological strain from adapting to a new culture while trying to maintain Islamic identity and values, which often leads to symptoms such as withdrawal, anxiety, and depression.
The current challenges students face with immigration have created uncertainty and fear for many Muslim international students, including those engaged in activism. Many student visas have been revoked without prior notice, and students remain at risk for deportation or encounter difficulties with re-entry. Furthermore, the 2023 Bullying Report by Awaad, Tor-Cabuk, and Rajeh (2023) sheds light on the challenges Muslim students face in U.S. schools. With the rising rates of Islamophobia, nearly 60% of female Muslim students reported feeling unsafe, unwelcome, or uncomfortable at school due to their Muslim identity, while 32% of male students reported similar feelings (Awaad, Tor-Cabuk, & Rajeh, 2023).
These experiences of bullying and discrimination contribute to the complex stressors Muslim youth face, affecting not only their academic environment but also their psychological and emotional well-being as they navigate a society where they often feel marginalized. The cumulative impact of these stressors can manifest as long-term mental health challenges or trauma, which directly affects the body’s nervous system and shapes how young Muslims respond to ongoing challenges.
Psychosocial Impact of Trauma
Many Muslims come from diverse backgrounds, including regions affected by war, displacement, and political unrest, which can contribute to complex layers of trauma and stress that impact their mental health. Trauma can deeply influence the nervous system, often keeping it in a heightened state of continual alarm. This may cause the body to react with automatic responses—such as fight (confronting danger), flight (escaping), freeze (becoming immobile or feeling stuck), or fawn (appeasing to avoid harm)—even when no real danger is present.
Long after a traumatic experience, the nervous system may continue to interpret safe situations as threatening, making it difficult for the individual to feel calm or secure (Fisher, 2023, pp. 3–5). Many individuals within the Muslim community experience stress and trauma in different forms and intensities, often shaped by factors such as Islamophobia, cultural stigma around mental health, intergenerational pressures, and identity-based discrimination. These challenges can manifest emotionally, psychologically, and even physically, impacting daily functioning, spirituality, relationships, and overall well-being.
These stressors can trigger reactions like fight or flight, or dissociative responses such as freezing or fawning, where individuals emotionally disconnect or find it difficult to stay grounded in the present moment. In some cases, individuals may resort to impulsive or self-destructive behaviors, including self-harm or substance use, as a means of regulating their nervous system—seeking temporary relief but often resulting in negative social outcomes and further trauma (Fisher, 2023, pp. 3–5). Faith-based, holistic coping strategies present a promising pathway for managing these stressors and breaking the cycle of re-traumatization.
Resources & Support
Community support and the Sunnah of shura (consultation) with religious leaders are essential elements of emotional and spiritual well-being. In addition to personal support systems, several Muslim organizations—such as Maristan, Naseeha, Tayba Foundation, North American Islamic Shelter for the Abused (NISA), Ruh Care, Ihsan Coaching, CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations), and the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) Council for Social Justice—play a vital role in addressing the unique challenges faced by Muslim communities. To support Muslims dealing with the current immigration crisis, CAIR released a video series titled “Unconstitutional Crackdowns: What Muslim Americans Need to Know.”
Given the high rates of bullying, discrimination, and identity-based stressors that Muslim students often face in school settings, it’s important to establish accessible, culturally, and religiously congruent mental health resources. Maristan, for example, has developed community-based support through learning circles and workshops designed to empower Muslim youth and college students. Programs such as Maristan’s Muslim Mental Health Initiative (MMHI) at the University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford University offer Muslim students support by providing short-term counseling or consultations by Muslim therapists for dealing with academic stress, interpersonal struggles, and identity-related challenges at no cost to the students.
Furthermore, these efforts include sisterhood workshops focused on nurturing a positive self-concept, fostering confidence in wearing the hijab, and exploring its cultural and religious meanings. Broader workshops also work to raise awareness about mental health in Muslim communities, breaking down stigma and encouraging open conversations about care and healing. Access to counseling services, peer mentorship programs, and safe community spaces can significantly strengthen students’ resilience. Equally important is the process of empowering Muslim students with tools to recognize and respond to discrimination or harassment, contributing to a safer and more inclusive educational environment (Awaad, Tor-Cabuk, & Rajeh, 2023).
Conclusion
Islam encourages believers to actively care for their emotional and mental health, recognizing that healing is part of spiritual excellence, or ihsan. Ultimately, healing and resilience are cultivated through a collective approach—seeking therapy when needed, joining support groups, and participating in spiritual gatherings like halaqas and educational programs. These connections provide spaces for shared experience, reduce feelings of isolation, and help individuals strengthen their sense of purpose and belonging.
Through a combination of evidence-based tools and spiritually grounded practices, individuals can restore inner peace and navigate life’s challenges with resilience. By fostering self-awareness, seeking support, and engaging in both individual and communal healing, Muslims can untether their hearts from the grip of chronic anxiety and anchor themselves in the mercy, wisdom, and compassion of their faith. It is our prayer that Maristan continues to serve as a source of support and healing for Muslim communities—both locally and globally.
References
- American Psychiatric Association. (2018). Mental health facts for Muslim Americans. https://www.psychiatry.org/File%20Library/Psychiatrists/Cultural-Competency/Mental-Health-Disparities/Mental-Health-Facts-for-Muslim-Americans.pdf
- Awaad, R., Tor-Cabuk, K., & Rajeh, N. (2023). Addressing bullying and discrimination against female Muslim students in U.S. schools. 2023 Bullying Report.
- Awaad, R., Obaid, E., Kouser, T., et al. (2023). Addressing mental health through community partnerships in a Muslim community. Psychiatric Services, 74(1), 96–99. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202100505
- Fisher, J. (2023). Trauma-informed stabilization treatment (TIST): A new approach to treating unsafe behavior (pp. 3–5). https://janinafisher.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Janina-Fisher-Trauma-Informed-Stabilization-Treatment-TIST-a-New-Approach-to-Treating-Unsafe-Behavior_compressed.pdf