The Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service (LMWS) has launched a new Depression Recovery Group which uses therapy and the Islamic faith to provide support for Muslim communities.

Beginning on the 6th of June, the course aims to help participants understand the common signs of depression such as thoughts and feelings of low mood, lack of sleep, lack of motivation and others. 

Muslims in Britain are less likely to access support for their mental health compared to other faith communities.  A study has revealed that only 2.6% of Muslims referred to NHS Talking Therapies completed their treatment course in 2021-2022 than other religious groups.

On this course, participants will learn techniques together with the use of the Quran and Hadith to help overcome depression. For Muslim people, such therapies have resulted in earlier improvements in symptoms of depression compared to other approaches.

Professor Ghazala Mir, Professor of Health Equity and Inclusion at University of Leeds who worked with teams at Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service said:“Our research has shown the use of faith-sensitive therapy achieves better results than standard therapy for people from Muslim backgrounds.

Religious beliefs can be a huge support for wellbeing for many Muslims and attention to their faith within therapy can significantly increase their engagement and motivation.”

The 8-week course will run from the 6 June 2024 to 25 July 2024 from 12.30 pm – 2.30 pm in a group setting at the Bangladeshi Community Centre in Harehills.

The Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service is a partnership between a number of NHS and non-NHS organisations: Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust (LCH), Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Leeds GP Confederation, Northpoint Wellbeing, Community Links, Touchstone Leeds, Women’s Counselling and Therapy Service, Home-start Leeds, IESO Digital Health, SilverCloud Health, Xyla Digital Therapies and Signhealth.

They offer free and confidential talking therapies and practical support to people with common mental health problems.