Lessons from a Baltimore Community Survey
By Mohammed Younus, Saad Ahmad Khan, and Attaulla Khan
Jan/Feb 2025
Islam, as a community-based religion, specifically emphasizes self-care and community support. Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) spoke about the value of kindness to oneself and others, emphasizing compassion and the importance of seeking help when in need. Islamic principles encourage addressing mental health issues with the same seriousness as physical health, emphasizing that seeking medical or psychological assistance is not a sign of weakness. This underscores the crucial role of the community in supporting individuals facing mental health challenges.
Abu Huraira (radi Allahu ‘anh) reported that the Prophet said, “The strong believer is better and more beloved to God than the weak believer, while there is good in both. Strive for that which will benefit you, seek the help of God, and do not feel helpless” (Sahih Muslim 2664; Book 46, Hadith 52). This hadith encourages Muslims to be proactive in seeking solutions to their problems, and to rely on God’s help while also acting. Such problems would include but would not be limited to mental health challenges.
Muslims of medieval times strove to advance sciences and medicine. Ibn Sina (d.1037 CE), credited as the founder of modern medicine, codified symptoms and treatments of various diseases in his famous Canon of Medicine. As a result of his efforts, Muslims of that period not only understood diseases of the body but also had a keen understanding of diseases of the mind. Ibn Sina’s work included psychiatric disorders such as dementia, depression, mania, and melancholia. In fact, Muslims in medieval Baghdad had hospitals with some of the first in-patient mental health treatment facilities in the world. Claiming such a rich legacy, one may ask the question, what are the attitudes of contemporary Muslims towards mental health today? Have Muslims kept pace in modern times, matching our predecessors’ tempo?
Mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and stress affect millions of people worldwide, and Muslims in the United States are no exception. However, there is limited research specifically focusing on the mental health of Muslims in the United States. A Pew Research Center study states, “Among Muslim American adults who were born abroad, more come from South Asia (35%) than any other region. An additional 23% were born in different parts of the Asia Pacific region (such as Iran, Indonesia, etc.); 25% came from the Middle East-North Africa region, 9% came from sub-Saharan Africa, 4% were born in Europe and 4% come from elsewhere in the Americas.” Mental health issues in Muslim communities can vary based on social and cultural factors with the individual’s, particularly the country of origin having a particularly significant impact. Despite these cultural differences, the Muslim communities can unite over some standard social features and several shared life experiences.
To better understand these issues and Muslim attitudes towards mental health in the U.S., we surveyed our local Baltimore, Maryland, area mosques both in person and through and online questionnaire in summer of 2023.
Our mental health survey of the Muslim community received 288 responses, with a gender distribution of 70% males and 30% females. This survey provided valuable insights into how Muslims perceive and experience mental health.
Respondents were asked to self-rate their mental health, with the majority describing it as “good” (40.4%) or “excellent” (37.6%). A smaller proportion rated their mental health as “fair” (16.4%) or “poor” (5.6%). However, when assessed using the PHQ-9 – a well-established tool for measuring depression severity – discrepancies arose. Several respondents who rated their mental health as “excellent” or “good” exhibited moderate to severe depression symptoms according to the PHQ-9, indicating underlying mental health concerns that were not self-reported.
These findings suggest that a significant portion of respondents may either be unaware of their existing mental health condition, or may be hesitant to acknowledge symptoms of depression, presumably due to social stigma or cultural barriers. The gap between self-perception and clinical assessment underscores the need for greater education and awareness to help individuals better understand their own mental health and to seek appropriate care should mental health crises arise.
The survey also revealed noteworthy gender differences in mental health perception. Men were more likely to rate their mental health as “excellent” (32.1%) compared to women (4.2%). Conversely, women were more likely to describe their mental health as “fair” (16.7%) compared to men (7.3%). There was no significant gender difference in the percentage of respondents rating their mental health as “poor.” These findings suggest gender-based variations in terms of how mental health issues are experienced and reported with, men possibly underreporting symptoms due to cultural expectations around masculinity. Women are also more likely encounter barriers when accessing appropriate care. This highlights the importance of gender-responsive support to mental health crises in the Muslims. There is a need to create safe spaces within masjids and community centers so that individuals can discuss mental health concerns openly and without fear of judgment.
The survey touched on gender identity as well, with relevance to the Muslim Americans. Data showed that men were significantly more likely to dismiss the importance of discussions involving gender identity and the congruent disparity between sexes. The survey’s results regarding this issue then confirm that cultural awareness is paramount when addressing mental health in the Muslim community, especially concerning gender-specific issues.
In conclusion, the Baltimore area mental health survey for Muslim living in the U.S. highlights significant gaps between self-reported mental health and clinical assessments within the Muslim community, revealing potential issues of social stigma and/or a distinct lack of cultural awareness. Gender differences in perceptions of mental health as well as attitudes toward gender identity further emphasize the need for culturally sensitive, gender-responsive approaches. Addressing these nuances is crucial for improving mental health education and support in these communities. Open dialogue is also critical in breaking down barriers and ensuring equitable access to mental health care within this diverse population. We believe community leaders can be pivotal in providing a mentally and emotionally healthier Muslim society.
Keeping these items in mind, it is of utmost importance that community leaders assess the public’s mental health and bring forth recommendations that support seeking help, thereby reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness. The use of mental health services and therapy should be encouraged, emphasizing that seeking professional help aligns with Islamic principles of self-care. Equipping Imams and community leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide initial support, counseling, and referrals to mental health professionals is also essential. Additionally, sharing culturally sensitive educational materials that address mental health from both Islamic and psychological perspectives can further enhance awareness. In the end, we hope our survey serves as a conversation starter to openly discuss and navigate the mental health needs of the contemporary Muslim community.
Mohammed Younus, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist in Baltimore area, is involved in social activism, mental health research, and runs a free psychiatry clinic at the Islamic Society of Baltimore.
Saad Ahmad Khan, PhD, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), works as a data scientist in the Health Data Lab. His research focuses on hospital readmissions, psychiatry readmissions, and the effects of social determinants of health on healthcare.
Attaulla Khan (BS, and MBA University of Illinois at Urbana Champagne), an IT professional, works for a Baltimore-based firm, and is cofounder of the US India Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C. based research think-tank. Raza Hasan and Syed Abid Hussain are officer bearers at Muslim Citizens of Maryland (MCM) and Jannah Bukhari is a graduate student volunteer.
MCM is a group of Muslim volunteers in Baltimore, dedicated to promoting social welfare and community development. Their focus is on charity, volunteering, research, and public service, aiming to enhance the well-being and unity of the community