Findings from the Mental Health in UK Muslim Communities: A Call to Action report by Muslim Mind Collaborative
Contact Us For More InfoMuslims are currently the second largest faith group in England and Wales and possess the youngest age profile. 61% of Muslims in England and Wales live in the lowest 40% of areas in the country ranked by deprivation score, with economic insecurity closely linked to mental ill-health.Muslims from black and minority ethnic backgrounds are more susceptible to mental illness such as anxiety disorders and psychosis. Nearly a third of Muslims (32.7%) live in overcrowded homes, compared to 8.4% of the general population.Employment rates for Muslims aged 16-64 stand at 51.4%, compared to 70.9% of the overall population.
Over 70% of Muslims struggling with mental health issues have also experienced Islamophobia, exacerbating conditions like chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. According to the latest Muslim Census survey, an alarming 92% of respondents now feel significantly less safe after the recent riots across the UK. (October 2024) Racialised communities face various forms of discrimination, ranging from subtle micro-aggressions to explicit hurtful words. Exposure to racism can be stressful and negatively affect overall health and mental well-being.
In 2021-2022, only 2.6% of Muslims referred to NHS Talking Therapies completed their treatment course. 44% of Muslims feel that faith-related issues are not adequately addressed through mainstream counselling.
Muslim young people are three times more likely to seek support from friends rather than accessing professional services. Despite these challenges, young Muslims continue to face barriers in accessing mental health services. Although 19% of Muslim youth report experiencing suicidal thoughts, their access to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) remains critically low. The pressure to achieve academic success, combined with the trauma of discrimination and isolation, exacerbates the mental health struggles faced by this demographic.
Mental health services for ethnic and religious minorities, particularly within the Muslim community, often suffer from chronic underfunding, leading to limited resources and a scarcity of specialized programs tailored to their needs.