THE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES FACING MUSLIM YOUTH IN THE ERA OF COVID-19

Abstract

The objectives of this presentation are as follows: 1) participants will recognize the challenges and special needs of Muslim youth and families during COVID-19; 2) participants will identify the impact of COVID-19 on the emotional well-being of Muslim youth; and 3) participants will learn tools that help provide the Muslim youth with culturally and religiously sensitive care. Fatten Elkomy, ARNP, will discuss the impact of school closures and social isolation on Muslim youth. Rakin Hoq, MD, will focus on the religious interpretation of psychotic illnesses for Muslim youth as it relates to COVID-19. Sarah Arshad, MD, will discuss working with suicidal Muslim youth, and Rania Awaad, MD, will discuss her research with Muslim transitional-age youth during the COVID-19 pandemic and faith-based interventions. Muslim youth and families have diverse backgrounds and life experiences. COVID-19 has added to their stress levels, including the trauma of illness and death, uncertainty about the future, and feelings of isolation. It also increased the suffering of those youth who were struggling with mental illnesses. With the stigma of mental illness, the emotional needs of these youth were not well addressed. Thus, culturally sensitive intervention for these youth is recommended to address their special issues and needs. Child and adolescent psychiatrists can provide these youth and their families with the best care when they are able to recognize their special needs and help them overcome obstacles to care in this very challenging time.