Australian Muslim mental health matters. As a counsellor and life coach in the Muslim community now for nearly 11 years, I have grown to realise that our steadfastness in our deen can be significantly impacted if our mental health is suffering.
Now probably more than ever before, we are collectively suffering in our mental health and if you are still having doubts about receiving mental health help, please know that you will be doing yourself a great service by giving yourself permission to seek professional help.
My column today captures a conversation I recently had with a qualified counsellor, Nadima Peer, owner of Peer to Peer Counselling and Wellbeing in Brisbane, Australia. (peertopeercounselling.com.au)
Nadima Peer is a certified professional counsellor from PACFA, with a Bachelor of Psychological Science and Counselling, and specialises in supporting women on their journey to emotional well-being and personal growth. With a compassionate and understanding approach, she helps clients navigate life’s challenges, build resilience, and achieve their fullest potential.
Nadima feels that mental health issues in the Australian Muslim community are influenced by cultural, religious, and social factors. Key issues include stigma, cultural sensitivity, racism, and Islamophobia. Access to mental health services can be a barrier, especially for non-native speakers.
Integrating faith and therapy is crucial, but finding therapists who respect Islamic beliefs can be challenging. Community support, including religious leaders and organizations, is essential. Trauma and refugee experiences also impact mental health, necessitating specialised support.
Gender-specific concerns, such as identity issues and societal norms, also impact mental health. Recommendations include culturally appropriate services, increased awareness, community engagement, and strengthening support networks.
On why she chose to be a counsellor, Nadima said, “For the past 20 years, we’ve run a family business specializing in mobile phone repairs. Over time, I’ve noticed how heavily people rely on their phones and the stress that this reliance can bring. I’ve often found myself in conversations with customers who, despite being strangers, would open up and share their worries and frustrations with me. This came naturally. However, when I was going through a rather difficult patch, my search for a therapist was difficult, and frustrating and highlighted the lack of counsellors who understood my cultural and religious background. This made it challenging to find the support I needed.”
Australian Muslims have to constantly battle with the clashes between our Islamic beliefs and the secular policies of this land.
Nadima believes that it starts young and the onus is on parents to facilitate a healthy home environment to help our children know how to identify their emotions during their confusion between our Islamic values and the secular policies.
“Teaching children to self-regulate, build strong and nurturing relationships, and practice positive self-talk is essential. Encouraging mindfulness, kindness, and gratitude, along with developing social and emotional skills, should be a mandatory part of every school curriculum. These lessons not only foster resilience and empathy but also lay the foundation for a healthier, more compassionate society,” says Nadima.
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