When it comes to mental health, everyone faces their own battles. But those battles are shaped and influenced by the experiences we share with others in our community and society. For Muslims, social stigma, a lack of culturally sensitive mental health support, and the perceived conflict between Islam and psychology pose uniques challenges that often exacerbate mental health struggles. Anxiety and depression already top these struggles globally, with stress being a major contributing factor.
That brings us to the question: What exact stressors do Muslims find impacts their mental health? We surveyed around 400 Muslims from around the world to find out. Respondents came from diverse backgrounds and experiences, with people in their teens, 20s, 30s, all the way to 60s, and from over 25 countries including the US, UK, France, Malaysia, Pakistan, Mauritius, Nigeria, and Saudi Arabia. A key question we asked was what specific issues they’d like to tackle in their mental health journeys.
Here are the top 10 issues that contribute to Muslim mental health struggles, with self-esteem receiving the highest rating among respondents.
Self-esteem: 59%
Self-esteem is your overall sense of personal value and self-worth. It reflects how much you appreciate and like yourself, encompassing your beliefs about your abilities, appearance, and overall value as a person. Conversely, low self-esteem involves feeling inadequate, doubting your worth, or struggling with negative self-perception. These feelings often stem from societal pressures, unrealistic expectations, and the weight of comparisons, especially in the age of social media where Muslims are frequently othered.
Loneliness: 55%
Loneliness is an invisible epidemic. More than just being physically alone, it is the emotional pain that arises from feeling disconnected, misunderstood, or lacking deep, meaningful relationships with others. And it can occur across contexts, whether that be living far from family, feeling isolated as a minority, or experiencing disconnection despite being surrounded by people. Being unable to fully express who we are or having limited access to a community that relates to us can create additional barriers.
Unhealthy habits: 50%
Unhealthy habits are often coping mechanisms for managing overwhelming emotions. These habits may include poor sleep routines, excessive screen time, emotional eating, neglecting physical activities, or even falling short in acts of worship. Additionally, the pressures of modern life can leave little time for personal development, making it harder to break free from these patterns. The cumulative effect of these unhealthy habits can lead to a decline in overall quality of life, and in the bigger picture, leave us feeling detached from our ultimate purpose in life.
Religious and moral dilemmas: 49%
Trying to balance faith with the demands of a fast-paced, often secular world means there will be times when our way of life clashes with the norms around us. This can create situations where the decisions we make, whether financial, professional, or personal, require careful consideration. And this decision-making process can be mentally taxing, especially when there’s a lot of information to reconcile or perhaps not enough information to make the right choice. Religious and moral dilemmas are already difficult enough, but they can become even harder without effective coping strategies in place.
Work-life balance: 40%
Work-life balance is about finding a healthy equilibrium that allows you to thrive in both your career and personal life without one overwhelming the other. Achieving this balance requires setting boundaries, managing time effectively, and prioritizing well-being. But in today’s hustle culture, maintaining work-life balance is an uphill battle as work often limits time for rest, relationships, or personal fulfillment. It’s harder still when our personal life includes religious commitments, priorities, and goals that require energy and focus.
Identity Crisis: 39%
An identity crisis happens when people struggle to define their sense of self, often questioning core aspects like beliefs, roles, or affiliations. For many Muslims, managing multiple identities simultaneously, religious, cultural, and social, can feel like walking a tightrope. In some cases, we may feel compelled to adopt different personas in public settings to “fit in,” only choosing to fully be ourselves in private or community spaces. Without a clear picture of our core values, this inner conflict can get overwhelming, making it hard to know where we truly belong.
Financial strain: 36%
Financial strain can create significant stress, impacting every aspect of life, from meeting basic needs to planning for the future. This includes issues like debt, insufficient income, unexpected expenses, and job insecurity. There’s also the added stress of trying to earn an ethical income and navigate financial systems that don’t align with Islamic values. Amid these troubles, it’s not always easy to stay grounded and maintain a sense of hope and direction.
Finding a spouse: 35%
Marriage is a cherished event between two souls, a foundation for faith, family, and community. But finding the right partner can be tough, especially when you add cultural barriers, unreasonable standards, or a lack of suitable options to the mix. Seeing other people get married, whether their relationships succeed or fail, can also be a test in itself. This journey often comes with feelings of frustration and uncertainty that make it difficult to stay positive.
Social isolation: 35%
Social isolation is defined as the absence of social interactions, contacts, and relationships with family, friends, neighbors, and society at large. Despite being part of a global community, many Muslims feel socially isolated. This could be due general circumstances like moving to a new city, feeling out of place in certain spaces, or not having access to a network of like-minded people. But it could also be amplified by disparities in socioeconomic backgrounds, cultural practices, and personal values, or worse, discrimination and social injustice.
Cultural expectations: 33%
Muslims are a culturally diverse group of people united by the same faith. That said, culture sometimes normalizes unhealthy expectations, false beliefs, and generational trauma. Whether it’s career paths, lifestyle choices, or emotional boundaries, asserting your individuality in this type of environment is daunting. Over time, the burden of “what will people think,” and the challenge of questioning it, can take a serious toll on your personal well-being.
