News Release, 19 December 2001
A new report from the Mental Health Foundation suggests that attending mosque can have benefits for Muslims with mental health problems. The small study was carried out by a Muslim worker at a South Asian mental health project in Manchester, who interviewed four men with long-term mental health problems about the role of mosque in their lives.
Participants talked about finding peace of mind in the mosque, and described listening to recitation of the Qur'an as therapeutic; one man said it was "soothing to the mind and heart". Feeling part of a community was also valued, and mosque was seen as a place where men could connect with others of the same faith, with the physical ritual involved in prayer being an important factor for some.
The findings support earlier research by the Mental Health Foundation, where a number of people with mental health problems cited spirituality as one of the most helpful factors in their lives, giving a sense of purpose and reason for living, even in times of great distress.
Mosque as therapy is already being facilitated by a practitioner in Saudi Arabia and there is also a form of psychotherapy, Tahajjad therapy, which has its roots in the teachings of the Qu'ran. The Mental Health Foundation recommends that more research is carried out into the role of religious and spiritual beliefs in relation to mental health, to open up possibilities for more ways of supporting people.
The mosque investigation was one of six small-scale research projects led by mental health service-users and survivors, who were supported by the Mental Health Foundation. The projects all looked into alternative ways of coping with mental distress, such as the benefits of being part of campaigning and support groups and the impact of both giving and receiving massage.
Vicky Nicholls, the Foundation's Strategies for Living project co-ordinator, said: "This research highlights the potential value of culturally specific and spiritual approaches in mental health. There is no one solution that works for everyone and we would like to see greater recognition for the diverse strategies that people with mental health problems find helpful and more information made available, so that people are encouraged to find out what is right for them."
It was not only the recipients of the therapies and services who benefited; the researchers themselves reported changes too. They found that doing the research was a liberating and empowering experience, which increased their self-confidence.
User-led research is a growing area in mental health and the Foundation recommends that it should be recognised as a valid source of evidence in the development and assessment of mental health services.
Reports in this series:
Doing Research Ourselves. Book, January 2001. (gives an overview of the six user-led research projects supported by the Mental Health Foundation and the process by which that support was given) Price: £10 (£7 for mental health service users and survivors).
- An Investigation into Auricular Acupuncture
- An Investigation into Massage
- An Investigation into Drop-Ins (exploring the impact of peer support on mental health)
- Research Project into User Groups and Empowerment (exploring the effect of attending mental health service user group meetings)
- A User-Led Research Project into Mosque (exploring the benefits of mosque attendance for Muslim men with severe mental health problems)
- Alternatives to mainstream mental health provision
Return to news releases 2001
For further information and interview requests contact please contact the press office on 020 7803 1105 / 1128 or email the press office
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