Mental Health, Stigma, and the Religiosity Gap: The Experience of Imams in London

​​(Note: This article is adapted from an academic dissertation based on in-depth qualitative interviews with serving Imams in London regarding their lived experiences with mental health support.)

​The Burden of Leadership

In the UK’s minority Muslim communities, the Imam is the central authoritative figure. Imams are responsible for almost every civic duty: they conduct marriages, oversee divorces, mentor the youth, and comfort the grieving. Consequently, when a community member faces a crisis, their first instinct is often to turn to their Imam rather than a doctor. However, this reliance comes at a cost. Imams are constantly exposed to the pain of their communities, often leading to their own burnout and vicarious trauma. This study highlights a critical tension: while Imams are expected to be the pillar of support for others, they often lack the support to support themselves (which then impacts their ability to provide the support their communities need).

​The Theology of Suffering

A major barrier identified through in-depth interviews with faith leaders is the deep-seated perception that mental health is explicitly linked to one’s relationship with God. Many Imams and community members view psychological suffering as a spiritual conflict—a consequence of sin or a weak connection to the Divine.

​As one participating Imam noted:

​"In our tradition, we would always understand mental health problems... to be something like spiritual problems... or somebody who is suffering in their relationship with their divine creator".

This worldview often leads to the dismissal of clinical mental health realities. Issues are frequently "brushed under the carpet" or treated solely with spiritual practices, stigmatising those who might need clinical intervention.

​Suffering in Silence

Imams feel they must hide their own struggles. There is a pervasive public attitude that an Imam must be an "unshakable leader". If an Imam admits to anxiety or depression, it is often perceived as a weakness in faith or a lack of suitability for the role. This forces many religious leaders to suffer in silence. They feel overwhelmed by the "20 jobs in one" nature of their role but fear that seeking help will undermine their authority. This mirrors findings among Christian clergy, where the "humanity" of the leader is often overlooked by the congregation.

​The Trust Gap

Why do Imams and their communities remain hesitant to engage with public health services? The answer lies in a "religiosity gap". There is a distrust of mainstream mental health services, often rooted in the fear that secular therapists will not understand—or may even contradict—the Islamic worldview. One participant voiced a common fear: that a secular organization might advise a client to "abandon your prayer" if it causes stress, rather than understanding prayer as a source of resilience. This cultural disconnect creates a "circle of fear," where mutual distrust prevents effective care.

​Bridging the Divide

Despite these challenges, there is hope. The data reveals that Imams are not resistant to mental health care itself; they are resistant to care that ignores their faith. They are willing—even eager—to train in mental health and to collaborate with services that respect their theological and Jurisprudential framework.

​The solution is not to secularise the Imam, nor to Islamise the therapist, but to build a bridge. Islamic seminaries must incorporate mental health training into their curriculums to prepare graduates for the reality of the role. Simultaneously, public health services must engage with Imams as partners, not just gatekeepers.

​Only by closing this religiosity gap can we ensure that Imams are supported, and in turn, able to support the mental wellbeing of the communities that rely on them so heavily.

​Training for Your Institution

​Does your Mosque, Institution, or Community need better tools to manage mental health challenges safely? We offer educational workshops designed to bridge Clinical Psychology with Islamic Theology and Jurisprudence for communities that would like to start bridging the gap.

​Selected References & Further Reading

​Ali, O. M., Milstein, G., & Marzuk, P. M. (2005). The Imam's Role in Meeting the Counseling Needs of Muslim Communities in the United States. Psychiatric Services.

​Byrne, A., et al. (2017). Circles of Fear: Muslim Communities and Mental Health Services.

​Ciftci, A. (2012). Mental Health Stigma in the Muslim Community. Journal of Muslim Mental Health.

​Lewis, C. A., et al. (2007). Clergy work-related psychological health, stress, and burnout. Mental Health, Religion & Culture.

​McLaughlin, M. M., et al. (2022). Psychological help-seeking in Muslims: Islamophobia, self-stigma, and therapeutic preferences.

​About the Author

​Ashraf Dabous is a Psychotherapist and serving Imam at a major London Mosque. He holds a BA from the Faculty of Dawah and Usul al-Deen (Islamic University of Madinah) and an MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy from Goldsmiths, University of London. His background includes formal studies in Theology, Jurisprudence, and spiritual wellbeing, alongside four years of clinical practice.