Islamophobia: A British Muslim Perspective

Abstract

This chapter begins with an anecdote to illustrate just how pervasive and insidious the phenomenon of Islamophobia is in the United Kingdom (UK). The sad reality is that not only has Islamophobia become deeply ingrained and entrenched in British society, but it has also stealthily infiltrated the policy and provision of mental healthcare services. This book chapter provides background information about Islamophobia in the UK. It then discusses and describes the ill effects of Islamophobia on Muslim mental health and the far-reaching ramifications that countering violent extremism policies in the UK have on mental healthcare services. Studies have shown that clinicians are usually unaware of Muslim beliefs and practices, which can present challenges when trying to deliver effective treatment to Muslim patients. Many Muslims with mental health problems will continue to suffer in silence despite the availability of effective treatment, and Islamophobia will continue to cause psychological distress and exacerbate pre-existing mental illness. Mental health practitioners must therefore be cognisant of the way Islamophobia and its institutionalised form, Prevent, are being practised throughout their field and take measures to provide Muslims with mental illness with evidence-based, patient-centred care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)