Mental Health in Minority Groups and the Intersection of Culture and Faith

Following the attacks on September 11, 2001, Muslim people faced increased discrimination and that has remained true for the past two decades – taking a toll on mental health and well-being in this community. According to the American Psychiatric Association, nearly one-third of Muslim Americans perceived discrimination in health care settings, and being excluded or ignored was the most frequently conveyed type of discrimination. Stigma and access to care can lead to silence and isolation, and because of this, many Muslim Americans never find help.

Join the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation for a webinar with Dr. Farha Abbasi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Michigan State University and core faculty member of the Muslim Studies Program to learn more about how we can all play a role in decreasing stigma and discrimination.

Dr. Abbasi is from Pakistan and settled in the United States in the year 2000 with her three daughters. In January of 2009, Dr. Abbasi received the American Psychiatric Association SAMSHA Minority fellowship. She used the grant money to create awareness about cultural competency, to redefine it as not just tolerance but acceptance. Her areas of interest are cultural psychiatry and teaching medical students how to provide culturally appropriate care to Muslim patients. She works directly with Muslim American communities to encourage integration rather than isolation from mainstream society. In addition to her efforts to build bridges between the two cultures, Dr. Abbasi’s work as a psychiatrist has led her to address the barriers that stigmatize and silence mental health.

Registration is free for OSPF members and $25 for non-members. A CE Application has been submitted for continuing education for prevention, social work, and psychologists.

This webinar will feature American Sign Language Interpretation.

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