Islamophobia & Mental Health

Hate crimes have been on the rise across Canada, with a 9% increase in anti-Muslim attacks in 2019 compared to the previous year. And with Muslim women, especially visibly Muslim women, being the target of hate, violence and discrimination, we are looking at the impacts of these traumas on the Muslim community’s mental health. In this episode we speak with author & mental health advocate Shaimaa Kraba, as she recounts being bullied and harassed in school in a post 9/11 world, facing micro-aggressions at work and experiencing anti-Muslim hate not once, but twice in Calgary. We also hear from the editor-in-chief of Muslim Link, Chelby Daigle, as she shares what it was like to first experience anti-Black racism and then be the target of Islamophobia after she converted to Islam in her 20s. Daigle also speaks to the importance of sharing survivor stories as well as ensuring mental health support to victims of hate crimes. You’ll also hear from psychotherapist, Zainib Abdullah, who gives us some context into understanding these traumas and shares resources that listeners can access.

 

This episode contains discussion on mental health issues. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is in crisis please go to your local hospital or call 911 immediately. For information about services in your area, please visit www.cmha.ca. To reach the Canada Suicide Prevention Service, call 1.833.456.4566 or 1.866.APPELLE in Québec (1.866.277.3553).

 

Other resources:

Wellnest.ca

https://muslimlink.ca/

http://www.muslimmentalhealth.ca/find/  

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