Mental health and well-being among young people is a growing concern. According to a large-scale mental health study, more than 50% of mental health problems emerge before the age of 14, and 75% before the age of 25. Young women are nearly three times more likely to experience mental health issues than young men, with even higher prevalence among those from minority ethnic backgrounds.

For many young Muslim women in the UK, the challenge is even greater. British Muslims are significantly under-referred to mental health services and often experience lower recovery rates compared to the general population. This is not due to a lack of need, but rather a lack of culturally sensitive services, stigma around mental health within some communities, and mistrust in mainstream care providers.

Why We Need Change

Muslim communities continue to face significant barriers to accessing support that feels relevant, safe, and inclusive. Cultural understanding around mental health, stigma, and a lack of services that reflect faith-based values contribute to a widening gap in care. Mental health services tailored to meet the religious and cultural needs of Muslims may be effective in improving mental health and wellbeing, however limited evidence exists for this population.

The IM-Adapted Study

The IM-Adapted Study is a new mental health study which aims to evaluate a faith-based culturally adapted intervention to promote and improve mental health and well-being of young Muslim women in community settings.

The IM-Adapted Study is led by the University of Hertfordshire and is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). This study is a collaboration with Inspirited Minds (IM) who provide mental health support to Muslims amongst other academic organisations.

Who Can Take Part?

You may be eligible to take part if you:

·        Identify as a Muslim woman

• Are aged 18 to 24
• Can travel to London or Birmingham
• Are seeking mental health support

What is involved?

Those who take part will be randomly assigned to one of two face-to-face programmes:

1. A faith-based group therapy reflecting Muslim faith and culture - group therapy sessions that have been specially developed to reflect the Muslim faith and culture.
2. Usual psychoeducation group support - standard mental health programme.

Those who take part will attend one 90-minute group session (up to 10 people per group) each week, for 6 weeks. Participants will also complete questionnaires before or during the first session, at the end of the 6-week course and 24 weeks after joining the study. Those who take part in the study will be involved in the study for 6 months in total. Some participants will also be invited to take part in an optional interview or focus group to reflect on their experiences.

Participants will receive vouchers for taking part, and some travel expenses can be reimbursed.

How to get involved?

Sign up to the study by clicking the link below:

www.im-adaptedstudy.co.uk

Deadline to sign up: 30th June 2025

Want to find out more?

Watch the study video: https://youtu.be/kGW2oYPYhE4?feature=shared)

Visit our study website www.im-adaptedstudy.co.uk

Questions?

Reach out to the study team directly via email – im-adapted@herts.ac.uk

Ongoing Support Beyond the Study

Inspirited Minds offers mental health support beyond the study, with no time frame for recruitment, focusing on those from an Islamic Faith.

By taking part in the IM-Adapted Study, you're not only supporting your own well-being, but you’re also helping to build a future where mental health care truly reflects the voices, values, and needs of Muslim women across the UK.

Sign up by 30th June 2025 to be part of this pioneering mental health study.

This trial is being funded by the NIHR Public Health Research (PHR) Programme funding stream (Reference Number: NIHR156425). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.