The study, led by a team of researchers from the universities of Hertfordshire, East Anglia, Leeds and BCU, has received £530,000 in funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to evaluate a culturally adapted, faith-based mental health programme.

The Inspirited Minds (IM)-Adapted programme (IM-Adapted Study) will examine the effectiveness of a mental health intervention that incorporates faith practices, such as reflecting on teachings from the Quran, into traditional therapy methods. Participants in the study will engage with a peer support group intervention, facilitated by Muslim therapists who understand the cultural and religious contexts that affect their lives.

The programme targets young Muslim women aged 18-24 in Birmingham and East London who are experiencing depression or low mood.

Researchers hope that this approach will better resonate with young Muslim women who may not feel current mental health services reflect their needs.

An expert in Health Psychology at BCU, Professor Atiya Kamal believes the research may help tackle an already well recognised discrepancy in health services: “Current evidence shows that British Muslims experience higher rates of long-term depression compared to others but are less likely to access mental health support due to concerns that their cultural needs are not understood.

“BCU’s involvement is crucial in ensuring that the research reaches local Muslim communities in Birmingham. The city is home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the UK, and BCU’s relationships with local community organisations, mosques, and mental health groups will help encourage participation in the study.”

“We are calling on young Muslim women who feel they need support with their mental health from across Birmingham to take part in the study, which will be delivered in familiar community settings like mosques and local centres.”

By joining the IM-Adapted study, participants will help compare the IM programme with a typical mental health programme like that available on the NHS. Those who take part in the study will not only receive mental health support but also contribute to valuable research that could shape the future of mental health services for British Muslim communities.