Depression in Muslim adults.: Identification and recognition of amongst Imams in Leicester, with special reference to creating a pathway of combined cross-sector care. - Softcover

Kolia, Mr Mohammed Owaise

Softcover

ISBN 13: 9798721421488

Publisher: Independently published, 2021

Synopsis

Imams play an important role within the Muslim community. The aim of this study is to help us understand how Imams can make a valuable contribution to the identification and recognition of symptoms of Depression. The objective is also to address if Imams can form part of a combined pathway of cross-sector care to deliver better outcomes for those suffering with Depression in our communities. More importantly, the study aims to build on the key recommendations as set out in the report by the independent Mental Health Taskforce to the NHS in England (in their Five Year Forward View) in to how the community, and in specific faith leaders can play a part in the recognition of conditions such as Depression. Public Health England (PHE), an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has made clear that faith leaders have a role to play in identifying people at risk, yet there has been no guidance in to how this can be achieved. This study can go some way to understanding the perceptions of Imams on their role in recognising, and supporting people through Depression. The hope is that this allows us to build on the NHS Five year Forward view in to mental health, and support the development of a future protocol of combined cross sector care involving faith leaders, with inevitably better outcomes for those suffering with Depression. Whilst we consider Depression epistemologically as a scientific phenomenon, it’s interpretation sociologically becomes a double-hermeneutic one, therefore Giddens thesis of the mediation of paradigms between natural science and sociology forms a major part of the theoretical framework of interpretive analysis for this work. Using this philosophical concept, 12 Imams were interviewed in Leicester to explore their perceptions of Depression, and on how their role can impact Muslim Adults in Leicester with respect to their mental health condition. This was a largely qualitative case study design that focused on coding to set up key themes within the interviews. Magnitude coding and frequency coding were used to contextualise the responses.Of the 15 Imams that were contacted, 12 responded and agreed to participate in the study. A majority of these Imams were either born here or already settled for over 20 years. On average the Imams had a minimum of 10 years of experience within their roles as Imams. The Imams showed that they were able to recognise signs and symptoms of Depression, and none had attributed these to Jinn possession. 8 out 12 Imams had not referred at all to any other professional in the last 12 months, though on average at least 9 hours a week were being spent on counselling their congregants. Imams had acknowledged that women did suffer from not having the support from Imams that their male counterparts would have and a majority of Imams were in favour of greater access and support for women. All the Imams recognised the need for further training on counselling and Depression and were open to cross-collaboration with other professionals.The study recommends to provide formal RCBT training to Imams, improve access for Muslim women to support through virtual sessions and RCBT trained Aalimas, and to design a protocol of referral based on learnings from safeguarding policies and the e-Referral service to improve cross-sector collaboration.

Edition details

• Publisher: Independently published
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 13: 9798721421488
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 102