Written by: Farzana Hirji Karawalli (IM-Adapted Public Co-Applicant)
A Journey Toward Faith-Based Mental Health Support
With 20 years of experience in a dual profession, working with individuals facing mental health challenges, I feel truly empowered to be part of the IM-Adapted study.
This initiative represents more than just research; it is a meaningful partnership that bridges University, community engagement, religious considerations, and lived experiences to address an urgent gap in mental health care.
The IM-Adapted aims to evaluate the feasibility of a faith-based, culturally appropriate intervention to improve the mental health and well-being of young Muslim women aged 18 to 24 and transform the approach to mental health care. Many people struggle to find adequate mental health care owing to stigma, and barriers such as a lack of cultural understanding and relatability to the participant identity and values, which is amplified for Muslim women.
Why This Study Matters
What makes this study unique is its focus on religion. The faith-based approach is designed to follow Islamic values and traditions, giving young women a safe space to talk about their mental health in a way that fits with their beliefs. From my experience working with community services that I’ve founded or consulted, I’ve seen how therapy within mosques and community centres creates a space of trust and makes people feel more comfortable, something often missing in regular mental health services.
Most importantly, this approach combines therapy with feedback from participants to make sure the service meets their specific needs. This gives participants more control and confidence, which is often lost when dealing with mental health challenges. From a public involvement perspective, the study focuses on keeping participants’ voices at the centre. This ensures that the intervention is not only effective but also deeply attuned to the lived experiences and unique needs of those it seeks to support.
My Role as a Public Co-Applicant
As a Public Co-applicant, my role is multifaceted, serving as a bridge between the research team and the young women in our public advisory group, making sure their views are included at every stage of the study by speaking up for their needs, sharing ideas about cultural sensitivity, and creating a space where everyone feels heard.
Public involvement is an interesting concept, something I had taken for granted in my day-to-day profession but didn’t fully realise it could be overlooked in research unless actively engaged. My experience has shown me how public involvement enriches the research process, ensuring it remains grounded and meaningful.
Part of my role is supporting young advisors through pastoral support or safeguarding. It’s important to create a safe and caring environment for everyone involved in the study. I also co-chair the Public Involvement Working Group and the Young Women’s Advisory Group (YWAG) and attend the Trial Management Group meetings. These roles allow me to help shape the study and ensure public involvement remains grounded and meaningful.
What I find most rewarding is helping recruit and engage participants and advisors, working with local mosques, community centres, and university societies, and building strong connections with communities. Engagement isn’t just about signing people up, it’s about making them feel valued, respected, and supported every step of the way.
A Cultural Lens on Mental Health Through a Faith-Based Intervention:
I’ve come to deeply appreciate the transformative power of faith-based support. These sessions thoughtfully incorporate Islamic teachings, prayers, and culturally relevant coping strategies, addressing mental health in a way that feels both authentic and natural.
Through public engagement, I’ve also seen how community settings play a vital role in reducing stigma and fostering participation. Hosting mental health and well-being sessions in mosques, universities, and community centres raises awareness and challenges stigma but also makes the intervention less clinical and more seamlessly integrated into participants’ everyday lives. This approach serves as a powerful reminder that mental health support doesn’t need to follow a single model. Instead, it can and should adapt to meet the unique needs of the communities it serves.
Recruiting participants for a randomised feasibility study takes patience and care. Some young women may feel unsure about sharing their experiences, especially since mental health can still be a sensitive topic in many communities. Blending faith-based elements with proven therapy techniques also requires care to ensure the program is both culturally meaningful and evidence-based. This highlights the importance of staying flexible, listening to feedback from the YWAG, and approaching the work with understanding and humility.
Looking Ahead
I’m excited about the potential impact of the IM-Adapted study. It’s more than testing feasibility, it’s about paving the way for better mental health support in underserved communities. This project is an honour to be part of, addressing mental health while respecting and valuing participants’ identities.
To the young women in this study: your voice matters. Your experiences are shaping the future of mental health care, and I’m grateful to share this journey with you.
