Encouraging The Stigmatized: American Muslim Psychiatrist Talks Mental Health Ahead Of Annual Muslim Conference She Launched Over A Decade Ago

Dr. Farha Abbasi, Assistant Professor at Michigan State University Department of Psychiatry, is the founding director of the 13th annual Muslim Mental Health Conference taking place on April 2nd and 3rd. Originally from Pakistan, she came to the U.S. with her three daughters in 2000. Her work as a psychiatrist has led to her addressing the obstacles patients must navigate to fight the stigmas attached to mental health.

In a discussion with AMT, Dr. Abbasi, who is also also the Managing Editor of the Journal of Muslim Mental Health, explains the inspiration behind launching the highly respected conference and how the COVID-19 pandemic has forced an increase in mental health diagnoses.

American MuslimPictured: Dr. Abbasi with Dearborn colleagues in 2015 Today: Tell us about your work with the Mental Health Task Force.

Dr. Farha Abbasi: Mental health continues to be a significant issue in Lansing and across the nation. The mental health task force was constituted by the Mayor of Lansing, Andy Schor, and I was nominated to chair it. Mental health continues to be a significant issue in Lansing and across the nation. The numbers are growing while resources continue to shrink. This group is hoping to work together creatively on solutions, including a mental health organization inventory, identifying stakeholders, augmenting resources and creating a communication matrix.

AMT: What would you say to someone, whether they’re a Muslim or not, who is struggling with their mental health but doesn't want to seek help for fear of judgment?

FA: Silence breeds shame and deepens stigma. Mental illnesses are like any other health disorders. If you do not sit home holding a broken arm to heal by itself, how can you expect your broken mind to do it? Pain hurts equally be it physical or mental and needs proper treatment to be cured. Your sense of wellbeing starts with a healthy mind, there can be no health without mental health.

AMT: Have you seen an increase in mental health needs since the pandemic began?

FA: At the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing a huge pandemic of mental illnesses unfolding. A tremendous increase in the rates of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, substance abuse and attempted and completed suicides are being noted worldwide.

AMT: What inPictured: Dr. Abbasi at 2018 Malaysia Conferencespired the foundation of the Annual Muslim Mental Health Conference?

FA: My biggest goal with the Muslim Mental Health conference is to bring the reality of mental health into the open. Wake up the community to the fact that we are losing kids to substance abuse and mental illness at high rates, yet stigma and shame remain the biggest barriers in timely care. This fire is catching up and we are all feeling the heat. We cannot continue to live in a state of denial. We must look at mental health as we look at physical health. If you are balanced and have a positive attitude, you will eat healthily, your relationships will be positive and you’ll have a higher chance of academic success and civic sense. We need to accept and advocate for mental health. The life that you save today could be of your loved one or it could be your own.

AMT: Tell us about the American Muslim Mental Health Conference taking place at the beginning of April.

FA: We started this journey with three basic goals of creating awareness, acceptance of Mental illnesses and improving access to timely care. During these 13 years we have talked about many traumas and taboo issues impacting our communities but this year we also wanted to talk about healing. The 13 Muslim Mental health conference is virtual and being held on April 2 and 3. The theme is “Restorative healing and liberation in context.” The idea and hope is that we as a mental health Ummah can come together, heal and be a source of each other’s resilience!

Registration for the event can be found here.