Some very valid points have been raised. I find that in the Muslim community mental illnesses are stigmatized in so many ways, one in that they believe things such as 'depression' or, say, 'social phobia', are excuses by people to shirk responsibility or to wash their hands clean of any blame for the problems in their life - they kind of seem to think if they cannot see it then it doesn't exist.
And then there is that belief that to feel depressed is a sign of weak iman, or you are being punished for sins you have committed - certainly not, as Muslims the beauty of faith is that when we are afflicted by trials or hardships, and feel down or miserable, we can turn to Allah SWT for help. Think how some of the most heartfelt duas are made during times of difficulty - if we were meant to be on a perfect high of happiness all the time when would we turn to Him for help and guidance?
It is for this reason many Muslims suffering from depression are hesitant about seeking professional health or even approaching someone about their problems. I've heard that 'you're probably not reading your salah properly, or you are not reading the Qur'an, that's why', and for someone struggling with this, these comments just don't help.
I am studying Psychology, and I sometime get people saying to me it is a 'made-up' subject, or that psychologists are just validating the excuses of people who cannot deal with life properly - inshaAllah with time these thoughts will change.
