The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. In this Ramadan special episode, we spoke to Dina Aziz! She is a Muslim influencer and social media personality, who published her Ramadan Planner: A guide to reflection and growth during the holy month this year! (15th February 2024). With each Ramadan, Dina shares glimpses of her planner, providing invaluable support and preparation for her eager followers embarking on their spiritual journey. Her book that Dina shared online garnered over 1 million clicks and brought wide-spread praise: "So easy to follow . . . I don't know what I would have done without it" "Using this planner is the most productive and closest to God I have been for any Ramadan" "This has made a massive difference in how I'm using the days of Ramadan" We spoke about: Her journey from being an influencer to an author What Ramadan means to her and her inspiration behind writing this planner Her journey of creating this planner and how it can be used to ease your Ramadan experience The many features of her planner and where you can get a copy & so much more! You can connect with Dina in the following ways: Instagram @dinaaaaziz Twitter @dinaaaaziz You can also purchase her Ramadan Planner here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/297081/dina-aziz. If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. In this episode, the Mindful Muslim podcast meets Mindful Muslimah! She has spent the past twenty-five years as a community leader, an educator, and a mentor. She also regularly serves as a public liaison between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities. Mindful Muslimah is passionate about self-work and creating space for meaningful conversations. She continues to inspire and educate young women across the globe, on how they can bridge the gap between their Muslim and “modern” selves, without compromising their Islamic identity. We explored: Hey journey towards becoming a Mindful Muslimah and what that means A deep dive into relationships and scrutinising some of the common issues presented by Muslim women today How to navigate toxic and abusive relationships plus some thought provoking case studies Signs of trauma and how it can lead to resentment Features of a healthy relationship and what we can do to build one & so much more! You can connect with Mindful Muslimah in one of the following ways: Mindful Muslimah Website Instagram @mindfulmuslimah Youtube @mindfulmuslimah If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. Osman is a medical school student who has struggled with Religious OCD (ROCD). He shared his story with Inspirited Minds on our Mindful Messages Blog, which can be found HERE. He features on this episode, speaking with Adam Afghan about his lived experiences and his journey towards healing. In this episode, they spoke about: His symptoms of ROCD and how he realised what he struggles with How his ROCD led to panic attacks and severe illness How his relationships with others and himself were affected as a result of his struggles with mental health His journey towards coping with and healing from ROCD His advice for fellow Muslims struggling with ROCD & so much more! You can connect with Osman on Instagram @osman.md_ or via email at [email protected]. If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da1cwUyj8P0 The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This month, we spoke to Jamilla Hekmoun, who is a Research Fellow at the Woolf Institute in Cambridge. She is currently writing up her PhD on Muslim men’s mental health. Jamilla is a former Board Trustee at the Muslim Youth Helpline and Chair of the Muslim Mental Health Alliance; a network of organisations aiming to collaborate on mental health in the sector, for which Inspirited Minds is a member. She is an Executive Board Member at the Muslim Council of Wales and is also Head of Community Engagement at SEF-Cymru, an education charity based in Wales. In this episode, we spoke about: Jamilla's personal experience of anxiety and depression which she published in a book chapter on her lived experiences Her thoughts on the cost of living crisis, financial stress and how that links to mental health, specifically men's mental health Her research on men's mental health and how men are usually the providers within families, especially in Muslim households and so feel the impact of the cost of living crisis more so The taboo and stigma around men's mental health & so much more! You can connect with Jamilla on twitter @JamillaTweets or instagram @jamillajamillajamilla If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q18Q4nFF_1c The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This month, we spoke to Dr. Hooman Keshavarzi, who is an expert on OCD and the Founding Director of Khalil Center – the first Islamically oriented professional community mental wellness center and largest provider of Muslim mental healthcare in the US. He is licensed as a psychotherapist in the state of Illinois, holds a Doctorate of Psychology, a Masters of Clinical Psychology and a Bachelors of Science in psychology and Islamic Studies. He is currently a visiting scholar for Ibn Haldun University (Istanbul, Turkey) and Adjunct Professor at American Islamic College, Hartford Seminary. He is also a fellow at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding at the Global Health Center, conducting research on topics related to Muslims and Mental Health. Dr. Hooman is an international public speaker and trainer currently serving as a Clinical supervisor of graduate students of clinical psychology at the Village of Hoffman Estates (DHS). He also delivers seminars on specialized topics around multiculturalism and psychology. In this episode, Dr. Hooman shed light on: The clinical definition of ROCD and its symptoms, and what Islam says about it Most common misconceptions about ROCD and how to tell the difference between an intrusive thought stemming from OCD versus from shaytan How mosques, community centres and organisations can be more inclusive of people with OCD Best treatment methods available to help people with ROCD Practical ways to deal with OCD and support a love one struggling with OCD & so much more! You can connect with the Khalil Center via twitter. If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-2ODu0aZ18&pp=ygUQaW5zcGlyaXRlZCBtaW5kcw%3D%3D The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This month, we spoke to Dr. Tarek Younis, who is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Middlesex University. He researches and writes on Islamophobia, racism in mental health, the securitisation of clinical settings and the politics of psychology. He teaches on the impact of culture, religion, globalisation, and security policies on mental health. As a registered clinical psychologist, he primarily attends to experiences of racism, Islamophobia, and state violence in his private practice. He has recently launched his book called The Muslim, State and Mind: Psychology in Times of Islamophobia. Our conversation delved into: His latest book and the inspiration behind it His opinions on the apt definition of Islamophobia and the impact it has on Muslims on a personal and interpersonal level The intricate link between Islamophobia and psychology, and how trauma is intertwined with this His experience with victims of Islamophobia and how marginalisation impacts Muslim access to mental health services His personal journey towards psychology, politics and mental health & so much more! You can reach find Dr. Tarek's book at: https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/the-muslim-state-and-mind/book279425. If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l7Jz82OgdE The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This month, we spoke to Dr. Omar Reda, who is a board-certified psychiatrist, Harvard-trained trauma expert, the founder of Healing Trauma Institute, and the author of many books including Untangled and The Wounded Healer. Dr. Reda lives with his wife and 3 daughters in Colorado, USA. Our conversation explored: The definition and impact of trauma Breaking generational trauma cycles Nurturing environments for families and communities to heal from collective traumas Carers and the impact of care-giving on mental, physical and spiritual health Using Islam as a toolkit for healing Self-care of the Prophet & so much more! You can reach out to Dr. Omar Reda in the following ways: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-omar-reda-9852065a/ Website: http://www.dromarreda.com/ If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjEqWLLncfs The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This month, Sivan spoke to Zainab Ahmed. Zainab is a volunteer with The Lantern Initiative, which is a Muslim mental health charity. She also works for How Are You Peterborough as a digital and communication specialist, where she regularly engages with the Muslim community to understand what they need from mental health services. The projects Zainab has been involved with include facilitating weekly Chai & Chat sessions, assisting at Connecting Muslim Mums sessions, delivering workshops and organising and hosting events. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing and going for walks. Their discussion explored: The different types of OCD, including religious OCD and relationship OCD Her journey towards receiving a diagnosis and what helped her on her healing journey More about Exposure Response Therapy (ERT) and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) How she struggled with negative, intrusive thoughts and what helped in dealing with them The misconceptions surrounding OCD and how its not only about cleaning More about her work with The Lantern Initiative & so much more! You can reach out to The Lantern Initiative in one of the following ways: Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.thelanterninitiative.co.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelanterninitiativeuk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelanterninitiative/?hl=en Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/lantern_uk If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGrwjzsn8cI The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This month, Sivan spoke to Mostafa Mohammed Karim. Mostafa is a marriage coach and founder of Muslim Marriage Services (MMS). He was educated at the Universities of Liverpool (Pharmacology) and Cambridge (Islamic Philosophy) and holds post MBA Professional Membership of the Chartered Management Institute (MCMI). As a former foster carer with a wealth of knowledge in SEND, child development, children's mental health, safeguarding and guardianship. Mostafa also has 20 years expertise in matrimonial issues. Outside of work, Mostafa enjoys being a virtual encyclopaedia, going for long walks, watching cat videos and volunteering as a school governor at Finchwoods Special Needs Academy, Liverpool. Their discussion explored: Bereavement and its impact on mental health His Muslim Matrimonial service and how it stands out Childhood trauma and how it can trickle into marital life How the purpose of marriage is very important and sets the tone for the relationship The current landscape of divorce and why they are higher than ever before The fine line between working on the relationship and giving up & so much more! Launching in Jan 2023, MMS will have an innovative and forward-thinking domain designed for global organisations. If you would like to find out more about the Muslim Marriage Service, check out: Their website: www.muslimmarriage.global LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/muslimmarriage/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muslimmarriage.global You can learn more about Mostafa Karim on Linked In (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mostafakarim/). If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAQh6Q6yMbs The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This month, Sivan spoke to Humzah Hussain and Adam Afghan. Humzah was born and raised in London and is an Arabic/Islamic teacher, Imam, Khateeb and Youth Worker. He studied in Egypt before being accepted into the Islamic university of Medinah, where he is currently studying in his 4th year specialising in the Science of Hadeeth. He has an advanced diploma in psychology and a passion in helping Muslims fulfil their true potentials and all people who may be suffering from mental health issues. He is also the Islamic Advisor for Inspirited Minds, and has an upcoming podcast of his own called Medinah Students. Adam Afghan is a Researcher and Mental Health activist. Adam's struggle with anxiety, depression, OCD and intrusive thoughts culminated with him eventually seeking help to improve his wellbeing. He has since written a number of papers and eBooks on Mental Health and Islam, focussing on practical solutions to manage mental health. He has also been featured on Inspirited Mind's 'The Mindful Muslim' and 'Freshly Grounded' podcasts. He is passionate about raising awareness around mental health and reducing the stigma for men to share their struggles. They has a fruitful discussion on: The importance of studying Islam and understanding our purpose in this life The Qadr of Allah, what it means and how to accept the pre-destination of our lives Ahadith and Prophetic examples of emotions such as sadness and grief The importance of reaching out for help and hardships we face The beauty of living your life for the sake of Allah Separating Waswasa and OCD & so much more! If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2m5T2PQDKI The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. In this episode, we spoke to Soumaya Ettouji. Soumaya is a personal development coach and the founder of The Healed Sister, a coaching programme that teaches muslim women the ins and out of inner work and healing, without compromising their spiritual values. The programme comes in the shape of one on one and group coaching but also a self-paced online course and has supported more than 130 women around the world. They discussed: Healing from past wounds to become a better version of yourself Ways to heal without compromising Islamic values Cultivating healthy relationships Tawaqul and self-work going hand-in-hand to make changes in your life Understanding the love of Allah and healing through that & so much more! You can find out more and get in touch with Soumaya via her website (https://soumayaettouji.com/), on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehealingmuslimah) and Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/soumayaettouji). If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKFmZOHTNsQ The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. In this episode we spoke to friends Lily Syed and Naila Huggins. A graduate of International Relations from the University of Birmingham, Lily has conducted research into the effects of Islamophobia on the Muslim youth and the discriminatory application of counter-terrorism legislation on the UK’s Muslim communities. With 7 years experience in counter-extremism and supporting victims of hate crime, domestic and sexual violence, she has embarked on a career change with the ambition of becoming a human rights lawyer to further support and improve standards for British Muslims. Having visited Bangladesh, Palestine and China, she is determined to support the Rohingya, Palestinians and Uyghurs. Lily is currently on a scholarship with the University of Law studying MA Law. She will then undertake the LLM with LPC funded by the Law Society. Naila is a mixed race revert and has been a Muslim for 9 years. She is the only Muslim in her immediate family. Her family has been her biggest test and she has unfortunately been estranged from some, as the case with many reverts. She is a health and social care graduate and has worked within the sector for 7 years and has been working within children social services for the past 5 years. Working within children's social service has had a big impact on how she understands people and working systems. As a mixed-race black revert woman, she feels it is very important as Muslims that we are brave enough, where able, to be that voice for the community as we are often not correctly represented within organisations and systems. They discussed: Experiences with colourism, racism and racial confusion Struggles with identity and sense of belonging Growing up in families and communities and facing discrimination Islam and inter-racial marriages & so much more! If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01tqe2Wr8JA The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This month we spoke to Abu Musa and Ahmed Tomal from My Tazkiyah, which is an organisation that helps Muslim males and females struggling with pornography addiction and sexually destructive behaviours find recovery and freedom. Abu Musa is the Co-founder of My Tazkiyah. He has many years of experience in working with addicts and has conducted extensive research on Porn and Sex addiction amongst Muslim communities. He has a degree in BSc Biomedical Science and has been involved with mental health studies exploring different therapeutic interventions such as CBT and Psychotherapy. Abu Musa has also worked as a Teacher and Youth Worker, liaison with street active young people, helping them to recover from Drug and Alcohol addiction. Ahmed Tomal is a BACP qualified Counsellor and Psychotherapist. He specialises in providing counselling for Muslims who want to overcome their addictions, stress, anxiety, manage their anger and learn more about themselves and those around them. He welcomes, enjoys and has experience in working with people from all walks of life. He is qualified and trained in supporting people with a variety of mental health and relationship issues through counselling and psychotherapy. They spoke about: Causes, conditions and side effects of pornographic addictionsThe effects porn addictions have on relationshipsPreventative measure to ensure safe spaces for families You can find out more about My Tazkiyah via their website and through social media on Instagram, twitter and Youtube. If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzrLji2xzug The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This month, Sivan spoke to Sakinah Abdul-Aziz about Suicide within Muslim Communities. This is Part 2 of a 2-part episode. The 1st part is available on Papyrus’s own podcast called HOPECAST (Available on Spotify) and features our very own, Meanha Begum! Meanha is the Head of Operations at Inspirited Minds and has been supporting the charity from 2014. She has many years experience of working in Crisis and Suicide Prevention services within the NHS and third sector organisations. She has worked closely with the UK's leading mental health professionals, Imam's and community leaders and is an avid fundraiser. Sakinah Abdul Aziz worked as a Community Development Officer for Papyrus UK, a national charity aimed at the prevention of young suicides up to the age of 35. Sakinah's role involved engaging communities across London, raising awareness about suicide and equiping communities with skills in suicide prevention. Sakinah is passionate about engaging and building relationships with diverse minoritised communities, unpacking conversations around suicide and smashing the stigma associated with it. In this episode, they spoke about: The stigmas surrounding suicide in Muslim communitiesDeconstructing negative language around suicide and creating neutral language around the topicEducating and equipping those around you with knowledge about self-harm, mental health and suicidal thoughtsUnderstanding those around you who are affected by suicidal thoughtsThe importance of creating safe communities so that the topic of suicide is normalised You can find out more about Papyrus UK on their website: https://www.papyrus-uk.org and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter and Youtube. You can get in touch with Meanha via email at [email protected]. If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNQLgV5TQYM The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This month we spoke to LaYinka Sanni, who is an Emotional Wellness Coach supporting women to transform their lives from the inside out for over 5 years. Through workshops programmes and talks that she delivers, LaYinka speaks from and with heart. It is her mission to empower women to come home to themselves, so they can live a life of excellence and fulfil their greatest potential. They spoke about: Toxic positivity and importance of being truthful with your emotionsThe work required to change your life after therapyProcessing trauma and dismantling the beliefs you form from traumaWays to get closer to Allah (SWT) through our relationship with ourselves and embracing our imperfectionsFinding yourself and ‘coming home to yourself’Breaking down the idea we have to do things for everyone else and neglect ourselves You can find out more about LaYinka at layinkasanni.com and reach her via email at [email protected] or on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter & TikTok @layinkasanni. If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a71Mcj1s2c The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. In this episode, we spoke to Sameer, a Muslim brother who has been actively involved in community cohesion and interfaith work from a young age. This has provided him with an opportunity to enhance his skills in facilitating dialogue and discussion amongst people. In addition, he has also worked within the field of education over the last ten years, ranging from primary, secondary, SEMH and evening faith supplementary schools. As a result of working with a wide array of people in different settings and due to personal life experiences, Sameer soon came to realise the importance good mental health and the lack of support available, specifically in the BAME community. This led him to train as an Integrative Transactional Analysis Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and Islamic Psychologist. Currently, Sameer is working in a pastoral/welfare capacity within schools and with the National Mental Health Charity, MIND, on their BAME project, which intends to encourage more people from the BAME to access counselling services. Alongside this, he is also offering counselling services through his private practice, delivering workshops for the wider community and CPD for schools and educational institutes. They spoke about: His training to become a counsellor and psychotherapistThe importance of having men in the field of mental health and its benefits within IslamReflections on therapy from a faith perspectiveThe Western models of psychology and mental health and how they coexist with IslamHow to use both Islam and therapy to give meaning to our experiencesHow to become more aware of our social and emotional mental health needs as a MuslimThe qualities of a Muslim that coincide with being a counsellor You can find out more about Sameer’s work at www.noortherapy.co.uk, or via Instagram @noor_therapy. You can also reach him via email at [email protected]. If you would like to ask our team a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss one of the episodes or even feature as a guest speaker, then please do get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected] Support our Podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ilo-J-ReRk The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. In this episode, Sivan spoke to Faisal who is a creative entrepreneur based in Cambridgeshire and has a background in marketing, coaching/mentoring and community development. After being diagnosed with ADHD and dyspraxia in November 2021, he feels that it’s now part of his duty to raise awareness about neurodiversity in the Muslim community and beyond as being undiagnosed for 26 years of life impacted his life, upbringing, education, relationships, spirituality, mental health and career. Faisal's creativity as an artist has helped him therapeutically throughout life and he likes to show the impact it can have in wider society and his mental health. He continues to implement awareness in society about neurodiversity, most recently helping create the neurodiversity training package and support groups for staff at London Fire Brigade. He also has created social media awareness channels to raise awareness about ADHD which have received a worldwide response - especially from the Muslim community. A video Faisal created about having ADHD in November went viral, the reaction from the Muslim world showed him the importance of raising awareness about it. He believes that Muslims need to also learn that learning difficulties are different to mental health issues however can exist and can impact them further. Their discussion explored: Impacts of ADHD on mental, physical and spiritual well-being and as well as social, educational and work livesMisconceptions and stereotypes surrounding ADHD and neurodiversityNavigating life after a late ADHD diagnosis and being able to understand childhood experiencesRegaining confidence and building self-esteemManaging lifestyles and self-care practices to embrace ADHDHelping others understand ADHD You can find Faisal on Instagram @adhdvisualized. If you would like to ask our team a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss one of the episodes or even feature as a guest speaker, then please do get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected] Support our Podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWXRqI3SqXE The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. In this episode, Sivan was joined by professionals Isma Ahmed and Qasim Malik. Isma is a Key Worker for the NHS. She also works at Inspirited Minds as a mental health writer for our very own Mindful Messages Blog, and is a British Islamic Medical Association ExCo Director. Qasim is a Junior Doctor working in paediatrics and an education fellow with an interest in the wellbeing of healthcare professionals. The discussion delved into: What its like to work in the NHS and health care sectorsThe concept of emotional burnout and compassion fatigueHow to deal with your wellbeing as a healthcare professional and the stigma involved with reaching out for supportThe importance of self-care and knowing when to take a step back to care for your mental health& so much more! Isma can be contacted via email on [email protected], and you can follow Qasim on twitter @QasimMalikMed. If you would like to ask our team a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss one of the episodes or even feature as a guest speaker, then please do get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected] Support our Podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7bYi9D50yM The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This episodes sees us talking with Rayesa Gheewala, a Divorced Muslimah Coach. Rayesa has served the Muslimah community since 2016 and supports women in reinventing and thriving as a whole, healthy, and best version of themselves. She focuses on empowering women to flow toward the next chapter of their lives with peace, clarity, confidence, compassion, tawakkul, and joy. She delved into the following topics: Using the difficulties in your life such as divorce as a way to return to your fitra and improve your relationship with AllahThe importance of communicating and prioritising your thinking, feeling and emotions in relationshipsThe stigmas surrounding divorce and how to find peace during and after divorceHow to Reinvent Yourself for the next chapter after DivorcePeaceful Parting, Processing grief, Closure through acceptance and hope& so much more! Rayesa can be found on instagram @rayesagheewala or on her website. If you would like to ask our team a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss one of the episodes or even feature as a guest speaker, then please do get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our Podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOutEF6zTWw The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. In this episode, Sivan was joined by Zahra Aljabri and her husband James Faghmous. Zahra is a spiritual coach, writer, award-winning entrepreneur, wife and mother of four. Zahra empowers successful, bold Muslims to apply the insight of Islam into their day-to-day life. Supporting those who aim to evolve and transform, into the next-level version of themselves. She equips these talented and ambitious leaders to step into the power that is hidden within them. Her approach results in astounding personal transformation. James Ph.D. is a four-time chief dad officer and four-time entrepreneur. Prior to starting Limitless Love, James was an award-winning scientist, researcher, and speaker having lectured on every continent on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and entrepreneurship.  James’ life goal is help Muslims live beyond a mediocre job and average life to help create the Muslim Serena Williams, Steve Jobs, or J.K Rowling. He is passionate about creating generational defining talent that uses Islam as a source of inspiration to do more as opposed to settle for less. In their discussion, they explored: How to cultivate an abundance mindsetWhat are the tenets to love and successWays of nurturing your mental wellbeing& so much more! You can find out more about Zahra and James, and their platform Practical Muslim on Instagram @practicalmuslim. If you would like to ask our team a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss one of the episodes or even feature as a guest speaker, then please do get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected] Support our Podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grkZnKaH-3E The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. In this episode, Sivan had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Dawn Reeves - a qualified Clinical Psychologist for over twenty years. Dr. Reeves converted to Islam during her clinical training in 1998. She has trained in the UK and worked in different NHS trusts in the Midlands and South East England. Her specialist interest lies in older people's mental health and wellbeing. She also enjoys working in education and has been fortunate enough to have worked in Saudi Arabia as an assistant professor to help establish and develop a clinical psychology degree at Princess Nora bint Abdul Rahman University in Riyadh. She is currently working on a Clinical Associate in Psychology Masters Apprenticeship programme as a senior course lecturer. This discussion involved: The profession of psychology and its sub-categoriesHer work in establishing Clinical Psychology in Saudi Arabia and beyondAn exciting new programme in the UK for aspiring psychologists, plus support and guidanceAdvice to individuals who might be struggling with their psychological health& so much more! Dr. Reeves can be contacted via email at [email protected] and can also be found on twitter @drdawnreeves. If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or even feature on the podcast as a guest, then please do get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHjkc6pu8Us The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This month, we spoke to the eloquent Sophina Khan, who is a Registered Nurse (BSc (Hons) RN, IP, ANP), Aesthetic Practitioner at Revita Clinic in Birmingham, an inspiring humanitarian, a successful makeup artist, vlogger and influencer in the areas of fashion, lifestyle, beauty and female empowerment. She combined her love of nursing and facial artistry which led her to become an Advanced Aesthetics Nurse Practitioner and international freelance makeup artist. She has recently raised over 100K+ in charity for a variety of projects as a humanitarian. For her, building a platform on social media was by fluke, but she focuses on positivity and is a true believer that spreading love will only bring back love. They explored: How she came across Salam Charity UK, became a humanitarian and went on deployments to places like Palestine, Ghana and YemenHer journey through motherhood, her struggle as a mother, working woman and social media influencerThe role of positive thinking, mindset and affirmations in keeping mentally wellHow faith plays a role in her attitude towards challenges and strugglesThe relationship between makeup and self-confidence, and her experience of how it is important to look good because it makes you feel good about yourselfHow to deal with controversy and create healthy boundaries to screen toxicityHer advice for budding vloggers on how to maintain a social media presence and for mothers who are struggling to balance work and family You can find Sophina on various platform online: For all aesthetic related queries, Sophina can be contacted on [email protected] all other queries, viewers can contact Sophina via social media: Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/sophinakhan, Instagram: www.instagram.com/sophinakhanartistry If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or even feature on the podcast as a guest, then please do get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCMPAYZA_Sg The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This month, we had the pleasure of talking with Dr. Shazad Amin of Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND) UK, who is a Consultant Psychiatrist working in the NHS. He qualified from the University of Manchester and undertook his psychiatric training in Nottingham. He acts as an Expert Witness in Clinical Negligence cases, is a CQC Specialist Advisor and sits as a MPTS tribunal member. He has previously been a Director of Medical Education in the NHS and sat on the Greater Manchester Family Justice Board trustee of MediConcern, a charity that provided health education and promotion to patients from ethnic minorities. He is also a former Trustee of ChildConcern, who provide education and training for professionals concerned with Childcare Law. He has authored papers on psychosis, mental health and parenting and given lectures on topics such as diagnosing mental illness, depression in the South Asian culture, personality assessment, stigma of mental disorders and giving evidence in Court. In this episode, the following was discussed: His motivations and inspirations to join the field of mental health, and his passion for what he doesHis experience working in mental health within ethnic minority communitiesThe mental health stigma that is still rampant in our communities, and how we can attempt to overcome itMore about MEND and the services they offer, including their response unit for Islamophobia and reporting hate crimes You can find our more about MEND and their services, including their Islamophobia Response Unit (IRU) at www.mend.org.uk. You can also reach out to Dr. Shazad Amin on twitter @drshazadamin. If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or even feature on the podcast as a guest, then please do get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucV8OP4pmpE The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This month, Sivan (our host) meets Aiysha Khalil. Aiysha is a working muslimah, currently employed within the NHS. She graduated in Psychology and has lived with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder. She has spent the next 9 years after her diagnosis managing mental health and life.  She has also volunteered at The Listening Place as a listening volunteer to support people struggling with suicidal ideation and suicidality and to help others in whatever way she can. During the episode, she talks about: What Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is and how she was diagnosedHow her childhood experiences and marriage negatively impacted her mental healthHer symptoms and how BPD can affect social interactions and relationshipsHow she overcame her mental health disorder with a combination of therapy, unlearning/relearning practices and faithHow she was in the minority as a Muslim woman diagnosed with BPD, and how she coped with that feelingHer coping methods and self-care practices that helped her on her journey to recoveryMore about The Listening Place where she worked as a listening volunteer supporting suicidal individuals Today, Aiysha does not qualify to receive a diagnosis of BPD, and her story of healing and recovery is truly inspiring. If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or even feature on the podcast as a guest, then please do get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTB1wBmCkaY The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. Our host, Sivan, meets Madiyah Rana in this episode. Madiyah Rana is a published author of a book for teenage Muslimahs. She is a mother of two under three, and is currently pursuing a Bsc in Psychology and Mental Health. Prior to this stream of study, Madiyah also studied a BSc in Islamic Psychology whilst writing for her blog, ‘Al Musaafirah (the traveller), which is now known as ‘Tarbiyah Tales’. Madiyah is a survivor of childhood trauma and post-natal depression, which has fueled her passion for Mental Health and raising healthy, emotionally intelligent children. Faith was one of the biggest factors towards her own healing as well as faith-guided counselling, some of which was taken with Inspirited Minds. She has delivered workshops for local ISOCs to raise awareness of Mental Health amongst Muslims and to shed light on the Islamic perspective. When she’s not studying or home-making, you will find her curled up in bed with a hot cuppa and a good book or watching MasterChef. During the episode, she talks about: Her experience of childhood trauma and how it affected her growing up, including signs and symptomsThe importance of self-discovery, including the role of counselling and therapy in increasing self-awarenessHow her trauma morphed into PTSD and OCD, and how she coped with it in a time where counselling and therapy was not readily availableThe challenges she faced when raising children and being a parent with her own trauma, and which parenting techniques helped herHow faith played a role in her recovery process, and realising that faith and mental health are intertwined but not in the way we expectWhy it’s vital to have a good, healthy support network in your lifeCoping techniques like finding a safe space and positive affirmations, and how they are powerful tools to keep when you are not feeling mentally well You can find Madiyah on Instagram @tarbiyahtales. She is currently working on her next book related to trauma and healing through faith and Qur’an. If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcfQgn7pwVs The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. In this episode we meet Wajid Haqq, a.k.a ‘Heretic’, a spoken word artist who shares his experiences with depression, religious PTSD and self-harm. He really explores the concept of mental health with faith and identity through his writing and poetry. During the episode, he discussed: His idea behind the self-titled name ‘heretic’ and what it stands forThe motivation behind becoming a spoken word artist and how this shaped his identityThe personal experience of his mental health, including been diagnosed with depression and how he used pain to copeHis interaction with the Muslim community and how stigma played a huge role in deteriorating his wellbeingThe importance of having a support network in dealing with strugglesHow faith played a role in his lived experiencesIn what ways he coped and his advice to people struggling with mental health difficulties You can find Heretic Official on Youtube. If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_Rl7tAukEM The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This episode sees Hanif Bobat discuss his lived experiences of mental illness and the work he has done to address mental health stigma. Hanif currently works as a Development Manager with Ethnic Health Forum, a welfare and support bureau who offers their services in Arabic, Kurdish and Urdu. He has over the past 20 years contributed his experiences as a survivor/service user on a number of local and national platforms promoting the positive aspects of managing and surviving his manic depression/ psychotic episode. He has served on National Advisory Boards at the Department Of Health on the NIMHE Programme SHIFT, which was a national campaign to tackle stigma around mental illness. He contributed to research at the Mental Health Foundation on the benefits of attending Mosque as a therapeutic and spiritual way to connect with others and our Creator. The research can be accessed here. He was also involved in organising conferences on Race/Culture and Mental Health in the years 2005-2011, which included promoting the concept of Islamic Psychology to a wider audience. He explores the following in this episode: His experience of being diagnosed with Cannabis-induced psychosis and mania, as well as seeking Lithium treatmentHow important it is to have a good support network around you when it comes to mental health, including parents, family and friendsThe stigma associated with the term mental illness, and how to be more inclusive with the words we use for psychological healthWhat helped during his recovery from psychosis, mania and depression The power of gratitude, reflection and group therapy on dealing with mental illnessHow he made a career out of his lived experience and the welfare services provided by Ethnic Health Forum (EHF) to communities settling in Manchester from abroad, including refugeesHe also speaks about EHF’s women-related projects, promoting equality and diversity within the health and welfare sector You can contact Hanif at 07957 317707 or via email at [email protected]. You can also find out more about the Ethnic Health Forum and the services they provide on their website: www.ethnichealth.org.uk. If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foAavK7NDVU The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. In this episode, we meet Samia Quddus, a fully qualified psycho-therapeutic Integrative Therapist (MBACP) and primary school teacher with a specialism in social, emotional and mental health (SEMH). She is creator of the UK's first Islamic and psychology inspired gratitude journal, Taqdeer Life, and she is the author of a children’s emotional well-being story, Freya’s Funny Feeling. She has published articles in the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Children, Young People and Families magazine. She has specialised in child and young people counselling, and she shares what to look out for in children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. We also spoke extensively about: The challenges children and young people are facingHer inspiration and journey towards publishing the Taqdeer Life journal, and then Freya’s Funny FeelingHow to understand trauma and abuse, and what we can do about itHow to address the inter-general gaps between parents and childrenThe impact of culture and religion on mental health, and how we can make this more positive and healthyHow to bring up girls and young women in a community where they can feel accepted and maintain wellbeingSome creative ways of dealing with life’s pressures, lack of motivation and purpose, and being in an uncomfortable situation Samia is an experienced therapist and teacher, and you can contact her via email at [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also follow her on Instagram @taqdeerlife and @freyasfunnyfeeling, where you can find more information about the Taqdeer Life journal and Freya’s Funny Feeling, and even buy your own copy! If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIKQoH34lxk The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. In this episode, we meet Dr. Sara Betteridge who is a psychologist and family therapist in Adult Mental Health. Our host, Meanha Begum, has an open discussion with Dr. Sara about her family culture of working in mental health, her experience of incorporating Islam into psychological therapy and her journey to becoming a senior chartered counselling psychologist. Her work ranges from being a Family Therapist for an adult eating disorder unit, a Community Psychologist for the Black, Minority and Ethnic (BME) Community Psychology Access team in Tower Hamlets, delivering staff-training on the needs of the local communities, and working in her independent practise offering her expertise. She shares her knowledge and experiences over the course of her practice in terms of the current mental health landscape in the UK; its strengths, weaknesses and points to improve on. Some of the topics she talks about include: The gap between secular psycho-therapy and religious therapy, and how they can be integrated together in the field of mental healthHow to balance our spiritual side and our faith with secular approaches to mental health and wellbeingThe importance of tying your camel first and then putting your trust in Allah (SWT) because acting to help yourself is the first stepThe downside of certain cultural practices when it comes to having difficult and emotionally nurturing conversations with children and youthThe balance between Jinn/evil eye and mental health illnessHow the NHS model can have limitations when it comes to religious content within a therapeutic settingInstitutionalised racism within major healthcare providers, especially towards BAME patients and clientsThe pros and cons of having a mental health therapist who is of the same faith This episode is dedicated to Dr. Sara’s father - Assam Korim - who died after the filming of this podcast episode from Covid-19. May Allah (SWT) have mercy on him, Ameen. You can contact Dr. Sara emailing [email protected].  If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsG1XrFXF5s The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds podcast that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This time we have a candid conversation with Suhayl Patel. Our host, Meanha Begum, dives into Suhayl’s role as an Ethnic Minorities ‘Community Connector’ at Beacon Counselling Trust. He has lived experience of gambling addiction and suicidal thoughts, and has struggled immensely in dealing with the consequences, shame and stigma surrounding it. He has shown great courage by speaking and conducting workshops at Masaajid, Madrasahs and community-based events to help those who are struggling, including family and friends. He is primarily responsible for the development of culturally appropriate support and resources at Beacon Counselling Trust. This has been fundamental in helping to reduce the stigma around gambling-related harm and facilitate treatment referrals from the BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnicities) communities. Through his energetic stewardship, Beacon Counselling Trust has consistently continued to grow its BAME-focused interventions year on year. Through his experience, he discusses: The problem of gambling addiction, how/why it can cultivate and its underlying emotions, thoughts and feelings. The cycle of addiction with concurrent stigma, shame, and a lack of belonging. How escapism acts as a vehicle to addictive behaviours - Strong cultural barriers to seeking help, support and counselling. The urgent need for compassion, empathy and open pastoral discussions in a community setting. The lack of Muslim representation in matters that affect the Muslim community. The journey towards recovery, preventing relapse and reconnecting with a sense of belonging. You can contact Suhayl at [email protected]. The Beacon Counselling Trust has a Free 24-hour National Gambling Helpline Number at 0808 8020 133. If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming an Inspirited Minds Torchbearer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylAWSCa1DEQ The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds platform that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. We’re back with an enlightening episode with Maya Salam. Our host, Meanha Begum, explores Maya’s work as a psychodynamic psychotherapist who has her own practice - specifically for women who have suffered from abuse, trauma and a range of mental health difficulties.  The Maya Centre is a small charity, providing a free counselling service in Islington for women who have experienced Mental health issues Trauma, Gender based violence, including domestic violence, physical abuse or childhood sexual abuse and harmful traditional practices.  She talks about her experience as a woman in Islam, and what she thinks Muslim communities and Masaajid can do more to be welcoming of women who are struggling and give them a platform to speak out and support each other. Through her experience, she elucidates a number of topics: How identity, empathy and a sense of belonging is so vital to mental wellbeingThe role of epigenetics in mental health difficultiesThe problem of generation gaps between families and how to strengthen family tiesThe forbidden culture and stigma experienced by domestic abuse victims and survivors, both women and men alikeHow very beneficial the practices of reflection and grounding are in helping with mental wellbeingThe beauty psycho-dynamic psychotherapy in incorporating the uniqueness and individuality of a person, and their spirituality You can contact Maya at [email protected] and find out more about her work on her page ‘Psychotherapy with Islamic Values’ on Facebook or on her LinkedIn page.  If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming an Inspirited Minds Torchbearer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daqUqfuN6Ug The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds platform that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. This month we are meeting Hajer. Our host, Sivan Kader, has a thought-provoking discussion with Hajer about her studies in the field of neuroscience (for which she has an MSc qualification), her interest in self-compassion, mental health stigma, Islamic philosophy and psychology. She also talks about her expertise on the many layers of mental wellbeing, how there are multiple barriers that exist with identifying, seeking help and dealing with mental health issues and what we can do on a self, social and societal level to benefit ourselves and others. Currently she is a journal specialist in scientific research, and she approaches every project with an awareness of how our brain links to our mental health and behaviour. Her research into the concept of neurogenesis explored how our brain cells (called neurons) are encouraged to grow and develop, and are inter-related to the alleviation of mood disorders, such as depression. Here are some of the other topics Hajer discusses in this episode: The benefits of neurogenesis and how it’s related to intermittent fasting and an antioxidant rich dietThe bubble of stigma of ‘mental health’ in the Muslim community, and how it’s often seen (incorrectly) as a sign of weak faith, shame or weaknessHow loving yourself is a very extreme form of self-care, and what we can do to balance our self-care with being more compassionate towards ourselvesThe concept of gratitude, future-journaling, reflections on death and other tools that we can use to encourage emotional reasoning, compassionate empathy and mental wellbeingThe key character traits and practices that we can all practice in-order to help ourselves and supports othersThe role of the Muslim community towards creating a conducive environment for those struggling and suffering, and what more we can do to play our part We offer advice and support by our team of qualified and trained support workers for a range of mental health-related problems, including listening support, counselling and our anonymised Ask IM advice service. If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming a Torchbearer for Inspirited Minds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSpqoiNeJLs The Mindful Muslim is an Inspirited Minds platform that hosts raw, open, and honest conversations on various topics within the sphere of mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. We’re back with an enlightening episode with Lauren Greaves. Our host, Sivan Kader, learns about Lauren’s experience with diabetes as a teenager and how this grew into a cycle of intrusive thoughts and self-esteem issues, culminating in bulimia and kidney disease. She takes us through her journey in the healthcare system and how she eventually became better and took control of her physical health and mental wellbeing. She also discusses her surprise at seeing men suffer from eating disorders and how mental health does not discriminate between the sexes.  Through her powerful words, Lauren painted a picture of her struggles with hope and proactivity, and how looking after ourselves can really make a difference in our quality of life. Some of the things you’ll find out about are: Lauren’s journey with her mental health and what encouraged her to eventually reach out for helpWhat practical things Lauren does to maintain good mental health and wellbeingHow social media and it’s illusion of a perfect life can negatively affect our mental healthHow her experience with the NHS helped her improve her overall health and wellbeingLauren’s struggle with being on the organ donor list, and how she feels it can really help others beyond the grave Lauren’s struggle with kidney disease can be read in more detail here. You can support Lauren and other people with kidney problems at the St. George Hospital Charity website. If you would like to ask us a question, suggest a topic you would like us to discuss on the podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest, then please get in touch with the Mindful Muslim Podcast Team at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming an Inspirited Minds Torchbearer.

Introducing Peer Pressure It is part of our fundamental human nature that we want to fit into our local society / environment. We all want a sense of belonging and according to Maslow’s theory of human motivation it is one of five categories of human needs. This is what makes peer pressure possible - the individual has always sought to be feel and be accepted by others as part of the collective and this can lead to both positive and negative effects.Research has found that peer pressure can encourage altruism and prosocial behaviour but it can also lead to more risk-taking  behaviours. In school, anti-intellectual stigma can have a huge impact on children’s lives. Over 80% of children with IQs over 160 report feeling socially isolated and there is often a fear that children perceived to be intellectually gifted will be labelled disapprovingly as ‘nerds’ or ‘geeks’ by peers. This can lead some children to stop putting in as much effort or even purposefully answer questions incorrectly on their exams in an attempt to ‘fit in’ with everyone else. Often when we think of peer pressure we think of explicit examples such as a group of teenagers encouraging each other to try smoking, but often peer pressure is implicit. We as individuals collect information about what is socially acceptable or stigmatised in our environment and this forms the basis of our actions, sometimes subconsciously.It's easy to see how even our personality can be affected, in an environment which deems kindness to be weakness and respects a strong, dominant, self-serving attitude we may find ourselves being less friendly and more forceful or aloof in our manner. Similarly, if we attend a charity event we may find ourselves surrounded by altruistic individuals who will encourage us to be more generous than we expected to be before going. Over time the people around us help us to make associations between behaviours e.g. being overweight is undesirable or smiling will lead to more positive social outcomes, and these associations are very resistant to change later on, once formed. For this reason, it is really important, before jumping into a new group or environment, to reflect on whether the values of this group will bring us closer to being the person we want to be or take us further away from our authentic self. One thing that is important to say is that we all at one point go through experiences which solidify the idea that we cannot please everyone. We are complicated, and almost all of us, especially living in a diverse environment, are a part of several different social groups e.g. our friends from school / university / work, our family, our wider Muslim ummah, our racial / ethnic group etc. It is impossible to conform to all of the social norms within these different groups because sometimes they have mutually exclusive values; one group may promote certain behaviour/s as socially desirable, and another will stigmatise this behaviour or one group may promote dominant behaviour and another may promote humility and soft-spoken confidence; one group may stress independence and the other may stress cooperation and interdependence. We are left with the difficult decision of what values we think are the most important. Trying to please everyone will cause everyone to be disappointed and this is important to note, because in the end we should not be trying to solely please other human beings. We will always fail if this is our highest aim. We need to ensure that we can still respect ourselves, and only take decisions which are right and rational or believed to be. “Whoever sought the pleasure of Allah, though it was displeasing to the people, then Allah becomes pleased with him and will make the people pleased with him. And whoever sought the pleasure of the people, though it was displeasing to Allah, then Allah becomes displeased with him and will make the people displeased with him.”[Tirmidhi]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd46gP7tocw This month, Sivan spoke to Sheikh Saeed Nasser about his work as an integrative counsellor, bereavement counsellor, interpreter and clinical supervisor. He shared his experience of working within the Muslim community in this capacity and shed light on several aspects of life from relationships to mental health. Sheikh Saeed also spoke openly about his earlier years, his way of facing the stigma he experienced with regards to his visual impairment and his love for his home, the UK. With his gentle nature and wise words, Sheikh Saeed really gave us a lot to ponder upon. Some of the things you’ll find out about are: Where did his passion for mental health com from?What were his younger years like and what kind of stigma did he face?How did Sheikh Saeed handle stigma towards him?What teachings can we take from the Qur'an to help us deal with everyday stressors and greater difficulties?How can we think about life and the hereafter and remind ourselves of the temporary nature of this world?How can we form resilient families and communities?How can we be more open in our relationships and really allow each other to express ourselves without fear of judgement? Our podcast The Mindful Muslim, is a space to have open, honest, raw conversations on mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality. If you have a question or topic you would like us to discuss on The Mindful Muslim Podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest please contact us at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming an Inspirited Minds Torchbearer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-uQsO_El8g The Mindful Muslim is a space to have open, honest, raw conversations on mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality is back, this time in video form. This month, Sivan speaks to Adam Afghan who shares his experience with anxiety, depression, OCD and intrusive thoughts. Adam opens up about how he struggled with anxiety as a child and experienced disturbing thoughts later in life which culminated in him contemplating suicide. He also speaks about how he eventually sought help to improve his mental wellbeing. Today, he continues to actively confront his thoughts and manage his mental health. He says: "real courage, is tackling problems head-on." Some of the things you’ll find out about are: What were Adam’s struggles with his mental health and how did he deal with them?What practical things does Adam do to maintain good mental health and wellbeing?How can real-life connections aid our state of mind?What role does the media and social media play in our lives and how they affect our mental health?How can we critically question suicide and deal with the core reasons behind it?What are the steps we can take to normalise mental health problems and thus pave the way for improved mental health? If you have a question or topic you would like us to discuss on The Mindful Muslim Podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a guest please contact us at [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming an Inspirited Minds Torchbearer – https://torchbearer.inspiritedminds.org.uk

Clinical Psychologist Nomir Ahmed from an NHS Mental Health Trust in London gives his insight into Self-Harm and Self Destructive Behaviours in this month's The Mindful Muslim Podcast. Some of the things you’ll find out about are: What Self-Harm isThe most common reasons for someone to inflict self-harm on themselvesThe Self-Harm cycleMisconceptions around Self-HarmTreatments and support for Self-Harm Next month we’ll be talking about the impact money and debt has on one's mental health. If you have any questions you would like us to answer, please email your questions to: [email protected]. Support our podcast by becoming an Inspirited Minds Torchbearer.

February has been a great month of opening up conversations that are often quite difficult to face, sometimes complex and even harder to accept. Although we have focused heavily on sexual abuse, trauma and the effects it has on the brain, this podcast is an interesting combination of various taboo topics. We had the pleasure of hosting Hanfia Iliyas from Eden Houses UK and Sofia Buncy, from Muslim Women in Prisons who both gave very unique perspectives of domestic violence within the Muslim community. Some of the things you’ll find out about are: What the definition of domestic violence actually is?How different do Muslim women and men react to domestic violence?What role does Islam play for the perpetrator and the victim?To what extent does culture have a role?Is there a correlation between muslim women’s criminal acts and domestic violence? You will also listen to troubling real life questions being answered, as well being given practical and helpful advice on how to get help for yourself, or for others. Let us know your thoughts on this month podcast! Next month we’ll be talking about self harm and self destructive behaviours. If you have any questions you would like us to answer, please email your questions to: [email protected].

<span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span> This month we have been talking about sexual health, intimacy and pornography in the Muslim Community and we were honoured to have Imam Alyas Karmani join us for this month’s podcast - and we really go to town with this one. There’s no shame, and no room for cringe-ing in this podcast. So if you would like to hear about the detailed experiences that the Imam himself has been in, as well as other issues around sexual health, particularly pornography with no holding back, then listen in. Some of the things you’ll find out about are: What are the sexually related issues affecting Muslims today?Why we don’t talk about it and why there is so much shame attached to the topic?What is the difference between mainstream sexual health education and Islamic sexual health education?What should be taught within the home?What does Islam truly say about intimacy?Real life questions from listeners about the effects of sexual abuse, what to do about pornography and self-harm and advice for 7 year long relationship that had led to phone sex and potentially more. This podcast contains explicit adult content. If you watch pornography, please participate in our 100% anonymous survey which will help us to produce beneficial sexual health leaflets for Muslims, workshops and help us provide vital information and advice for the community. Next month we’ll be talking about death and bereavement; do you have any questions you would like us to answer? Please email us your questions to: [email protected].

This month we have approached a subject that isn't spoken about very often and although some of the weeks have been awkward to discuss it's been a good way to break the ice around this taboo topic. Premarital relationships is a growing concern, especially for young adults and we are at a time where proverbs such as "when nikkah becomes hard, zina becomes easy" are more and more present. So how do we save ourselves from the consequences of such relationships? We were honored to host sister Haleh Banani, a clinical psychologist who has over 20 years of experience working with couples and individuals with the aim to inspire people to live and love with a higher purpose. In this podcast we discuss how premarital relationships initiate; how this affects an individuals mental health, what marriage offers, how Islam deals with such situations, an insight into her courses especially an upcoming course, "laugh and learn" and much more. Next month we are talking about unrealistic intimacy and how it affects your mental health, do you have any question you would like us to answer? Please email us your questions to: [email protected].

This month we have been talking about the dreaded "who are you?" question, where everyone has something to say, but it's not always everything we have to say. Whether we avoid the question intentionally or because we frankly have no clue who we are, or whether or not we want to answer with what is socially accepted or what is in line with our values - this podcast will cover the A-Z of the perfect identity crisis. Muslims worldwide, in every generation, and every culture, are often torn between who their parents are, who they want to be, and who they are expected to be. This can result in the feeling of never truly belonging to any group, label, or category. Having a sense of belonging is important to our wellbeing, but does it shape who we really are? Islam is something that started out as strange and will always remain strange, so how does this effect our Muslim identity? Is there such a thing? Is it really that deep? Listen in to our podcast this month with graduate Mashuda from Birmingham, a young Muslim, who grew up in one of the most diverse cities in the UK, where we discuss the following issues: The definition of identity, and the Islamic identityHow growing up in a diverse society affects identityWhat one should do when experiencing an identity crisisThe importance of staying true to yourself and your values Next month we are talking about pre-marital relationships and how it affects your mental health, do you have any question you would like us to answer? Please email us your questions to: [email protected].

This month we have been looking at student stress - from results day, to accommodation, to lectures, to procrastination. However, what better way to hear about it, than hearing it from 2nd year Psychology student at the University of Birmingham, Rayhan Ahmed. He left his hometown where he grew up and had never left, he went into a new environment, with different people and received a big wake up call. In this podcast we discuss cliques, student habits and the importance of aligning your purpose in life to your university goals. It's packed with enlightening experiences, and totally relatable situations - whether you're at college, starting University or are a graduate, this is a podcast for you. Don't forget that we will be coming to the University of Birmingham on the 13th of October, for more information about the day, visit this page: x If you have a question or topic you would like us to discuss  on The Mindful Muslim Podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a special guest please contact us at [email protected].

Our theme this month is around postnatal depression, however it would be an injustice if we ignored the other side of the matter. Males in general are forgotten when it comes to mental health, and fathers are totally neglected when it comes to pregnancy and related issues. However, we want to change this. Fathers should hold the same significance and importance as the mother when a new life is brought into the world. We agree they don't have to go through the physical aspect of pregnancy, but they invest emotionally and mentally just as much. They may even have external worries as a male figure that females do not necessarily have to worry about. Join us and Abu Amaanah, a young father and entrepreneur as well as a fatherhood and lifestyle blogger where we discuss the struggles of fatherhood, paternal depression and the importance of preparation. If you have a question or topic you would like us to discuss  on The Mindful Muslim Podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a special guest please contact us at [email protected].

Ramadan is brimming with treasures waiting to be discovered within ourselves and our communities. Alas, there are forgotten gems within society which we often isolate and stigmatize, but this is the year we want to change that. Whilst Ramadan is an extremely positive time, for some it is a nightmare, and not because of the perfect ordainment from Islam but because of their own mental health issues which Allah has excused, but society does not. Join us for Wajid's strenuous journey as a young survivor of mental ill health who discusses his battle of starvation and self-hate. He takes us back to the deep roots of his trauma, how this inner conflicted manifested, and finally his recent recovery. Some viewers may find the contents of this podcast upsetting, however it is one worth tuning into. Not only to gain an insight into eating disorders which is something already frowned upon, but from a young male perspective. We pray that Allah continues to take Wajid and others like him from strength to strength and know that Inspirited Minds is here for you. To stay updated with Wajid’s poetry you can visit him on Instagram @_wajidwrites If you have a question or topic you would like us to discuss  on The Mindful Muslim Podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a special guest please contact us at [email protected].

An idea created with pure love and understanding of the complexities we all feel in our daily lives. MIM Apparel are a conversational clothing brand who are looking to kick start the dialogue about mental health with uniquely produced designs, each with their own narrative. This month Shumi and Tajmina share MIM Apparel's story on how fashion can be used to creatively represent mental health in a different light. To learn more about MIM Apparel please visit http://mimapparel.bigcartel.com If you have a question or topic you would like us to discuss  on The Mindful Muslim Podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a special guest please contact us at [email protected].

This month we have focused on food and mental health, (what better timing with Ramadan around the corner?) We have talked about the relationship we maintain, the relationship we should have according to the sunnah, different food groups and their effects on mood and much more discussion to come. Meanwhile, we have had the pleasure of Safira, from Tiffin and Tea complementing our theme. To hear about the blog; its goals, Safira's top nutritional tips, Prophetic medicine, alongside her own journey with anxiety, and parenting and healthy eating, then listen in! If you have a question or topic you would like us to discuss  on The Mindful Muslim Podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a special guest please contact us at [email protected].

We're making some movement toward defeating the stigma around mental health, but what about the negative ideas around therapy and intervention? For your FAQ's to be answered about therapy, a different perspective of Islamic Counselling, and to hear what it's like for a therapist to have received therapy alongside an alternative and inspirational attitude on how to move forward, then listen in! If you have a question or topic you would like us to discuss  on The Mindful Muslim Podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a special guest please contact us at [email protected].

With sweaty palms, and shaky breath, brother AbdurRahman fidgets nervously as he takes us through his gripping journey of how he arrived in the UK. Become witness to his hard swallows as he fights back tears remembering his trauma and reliving the pain of leaving his family and his home. Listen in to empathise with his frustration, understand his concerns and take from what he has to say to the Ummah. Please remember this brother as well those like him in your precious A'diyaat. If you have a question or topic you would like us to discuss  on The Mindful Muslim Podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a special guest please contact us at [email protected].

Have you ever started something, feeling pumped and ready to take on the world; as if nothing could get in the way, or shatter your dedication to then be at a much slower pace a few days or weeks later? Weighed down, practically dragging your feet to the finish line which is no longer in sight? Sounds pretty similar right? Whether that is starting the gym, eating healthier, being more organised, writing diary entries, or being more sociable. The majority of us know this feeling and the mental portrait of ourselves is probably slumping in agreement. Why do we do this and how can we overcome it? We have apps, calendars, reminders and all sorts of tools that should help us, but could there be something much deeper within us that builds this brick wall we daily find ourselves at? Join Meanha and NLP life coach Fatou who discuss what motivation is, why we often fail ourselves and how to arrive at our goals at a gentle pace rather than stumbling through our daily life and tasks. If you have a question or topic you would like us to discuss on The Mindful Muslim Podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a special guest please contact us at [email protected].

“You can be alone in your room at 2am, and it’s like a sudden shock to your body…” “I was told they thought I was having a heart attack…” Do you know what it is like to have anxiety? Want to know the real truth behind the so called “nerves” or “stress” and lack of “faith in Allah”? Listen in with Meanha with guests Jamilla and Mary sufferers and survivors of Anxiety and Panic disorder who take you through their rollercoaster journey; from identification of their issues, to the diagnosis, the stigma they have faced, to their most useful coping mechanisms. If you want to share your experience of anxiety, OCD, phobias or PTSD then be sure to participate in #FreakyFeels this month on all our social media! If you have a question or topic you would like us to discuss  on The Mindful Muslim Podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a special guest please contact us at [email protected].

Islamic psychology or Ilm al-Nafs, (the science of "the self" or "psyche"), refers to the medical and philosophical study of the psyche from an Islamic perspective. The contributions of many Muslim scholars of the past on studying the mind and proposing treatments for mental conditions is extremely important and underpins many of our modern techniques. Join Meanha and our special guest Dr Rania Awaad as they explore the Islamic history of psychology and the works of early Muslim scholars which is only now being rediscovered. Dr Rania Awaad is a practicing psychiatrist based at the Stanford University School of Medicine. She also completed a postdoctoral clinical research fellowship with the National Institute of Mental Health. Prior to studying medicine, she pursued classical Islamic studies in Damascus, Syria and holds certification (ijaza) in Qur’an, Islamic Law and other branches of the Islamic Sciences and is a Professor of Islamic Law at Zaytuna College. If you have a question or topic you would like us to discuss  on The Mindful Muslim Podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a special guest please contact us at [email protected].

In the same way that paracetamol is often seen as the answer to all types of pain, ruqyah is usually seen as the answer to all mental illnesses. Today we discuss what ruqyah actually is, what it entails and what it can be used for. We also look at the differences between sihr (black magic), jinn possession and mental health problems. Join Zahra, Salina and Abutaher from the Inspirited Minds team as they discuss these issues and more. If you have a question or topic you would like us to discuss  on The Mindful Muslim Podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a special guest please contact us at [email protected].

School is fundamental for a young person’s socialisation and academic development, but are the settings succeeding in helping young people flourish, find their self-worth and discover their skills and talents? Safeguarding, equal opportunities, bullying awareness, vulnerability warnings and many other policies are in place within schools to ensure a healthy and safe educational environment for young adults and children. However, what is being done to ensure a healthy and safe mental environment? With mental health problems on the rise and educational stress and pressure increasing more than ever before, is there a correlation? Is there enough support for those between the ages of 4-18? What are teachers being told to look out for? What systems exist that try to tackle ongoing issues for young people? Join Meanha, Jamilla and Sara as they discuss these issues and tell us what you decide. If you have a question or topic you would like us to discuss  on The Mindful Muslim Podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a special guest please contact us at [email protected].

According to the Prison Reform Trust, 10% of men and 30% of women have a psychiatric admission before they enter prison. Personality disorders are most prevalent amongst prisoners – 62% of male and 57% of female sentenced prisoners have a personality disorder. Prisoners also experience anxiety, depression and suicide attempts are at a much higher rate than in the general population, especially amongst women. The growing prison population means that there are now more people in prison with mental illnesses than ever before. Join Ujala, Meanha and our special guest Shamoly Begum who has a background in mental health and rehabilitation as they discuss these issues and more. If you have a question or topic you would like us to discuss  on The Mindful Muslim Podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a special guest please contact us at [email protected].

At Inspirited Minds, we firmly believe that we should make the most out of every situation and build a mindset that is able to see some positive in every negative. So, whilst some of our hearts are heavy with the departing of Ramadan and we may be missing feeling that "spiritual high" where we were not only motivated to practice Islam but were more productive in general - there is a feeling of emptiness within. With Eid over, we have to get back to "every day life", but it doesn't have to be filled with Post Ramadan blues. The rest of the year is ours to claim, next Ramadan is in clear sight, and Shawwal has come with many rewards to reap, what are you going to be doing that bids farewell to Ramadan but gives a warm welcome to the rest of your successful year? Join Meanha, Zahra and Jamilla from PR and Outreach teams as they discuss the blues that we may be feeling, how to overcome this, and why it is so important to continue the small good deeds that you have done with advice on how to maintain your mental well being in times of success and hardships! If you have a question or topic you would like us to discuss  on The Mindful Muslim Podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a special guest please contact us at [email protected].

Inspirited Minds is always looking for new ways to grow and improve, and in as many different ways as possible. Our aim is to support and aid those who are in need from all kinds of avenues, and so we are launching a new project where you can benefit by just listening. We bring you The Mindful Muslim Podcast where members from Inspirited Minds and guests speakers will be talking about mental health, psychology, Islam and spirituality, all within a short amount of time where you can listen to interesting discussions, advice and tips, from home, or on the go. Our first podcast featuring Ujala and Zahra from our Outreach Team is on Ramadan - The Month of Change and why it is important for mental wellbeing, setting goals for the month and advice on how to avoid/deal with the “burn out” period some may experience. When thinking of Ramadan, there is a lot of association with being on a “spiritual high” but not a lot of connection with mental health. So with Ramadan literally around the corner, we need to create a mental to do list of what we can, should and shouldn’t do during the blessed month, so be sure to tune in! If you have a question or topic you would like us to discuss  on The Mindful Muslim Podcast or if you would like to feature on the podcast as a special guest please contact us at [email protected].