format_quote Originally Posted by
xssht
Hello. My name is Ayesha, and I've just graduated university with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Ideally, I want to use my degree to help those in the muslim community. There is a massive stigma around mental illnesses, and when someone is showing signs or claiming to have anything of that nature it is usually reproached with "just trust god's plan" or "read this surrah and all will be well", which of course is valid, but I want to use my degree to show people that mental illnesses are a very real thing and as are other issues which are associated with the study of psychology. But, I have no idea how to do this. I need some kind of advice or guidance and was wondering if you had any advice for me. Thank you.
:sl:
There is certainly a huge gap to be filled in the Muslim communities with regards to help for those who are going through mental issues, problems and illnesses. This is why we need more Muslims out there who have a Psychology and mental health background to create a help service for Muslims going through psychological and mental health issues either in one's own locality, regionally or nationally.
This help service be also via an established mental health charity. Even better would be to set up your own mental health help service and employ other Muslims to create an online, telephone and/or face to face help service for those going through mental issues.
We really do need more o these types of services out there as Mental Health is still very much a taboo topic particularly among culturally restricted families. So Muslim mental health awareness has a long way to go and we do need more counselors for Muslims going through psychological and mental issues. There are a few Muslim mental health help organisations out there but we still require far more resources in this area so there is a huge gap that needs to be filled.
So my sister use your knowledge and qualifications, networking etc to help other Muslims going through psychological and mental health issues/problems by creating a help service whether it is face to face, online, telephone help or all of these things.
We must never limit ourselves and think that we "cannot" possibly achieve great things. As Muslims we must aim as high as possible and and have the best intentions and sincerity in everything that we do. We must make the necessary effort and put our faith and trust in Allah and ask of him to aide us and there is no reason why we cannot be of those who leave a continuing legacy behind that will benefit Muslims and the whole of mankind so we continue getting rewards (Sadaqa Jaariya) even after we are gone from this world inshaAllah.
May Allah enable us to be of the greatest benefit to Muslims and the whole of mankind. Ameen