Understanding the stigma: a novel quantitative study comparing mental health attitudes and perceptions between young British Muslims and their non-Muslims peers

Abstract

Background A significant proportion of young British Muslims identify themselves by religious identity rather than ethnicity however very few mental health studies have focused on this cohort. Aims To explore whether young British Muslims’ knowledge, awareness and perceptions of mental illness differ to their non-Muslim peers. Method Population based survey of second generation Muslims (n = 83) and non-Muslims (n = 76) aged 18–35. Anonymised 38-item questionnaire on mental health attitudes, perceptions and help seeking behaviours. Results Muslims were less likely to correctly identify symptoms of mental illness compared to their non-Muslim peers. Stigma and awareness remains a major issue. A third of Muslims would consider stopping medication on advice of a religious leader. Nearly half of Muslims were more likely to attend a dedicated ethnic/religious mental health service. Conclusions British Muslim views and attitudes of mental health differ from their non-Muslim counterparts. Services should ensure they are religiously sensitive.