Yaa leh caafimaadka maskaxda? | Who has mental health?

[Deeq A.]

We all have mental health, and anyone can become unwell due to mental health problems. Some are more at risk due to genetics, biological, social, and environmental factors, but this does not mean you have a weaker faith. As Somalis, like other Muslim communities, we tend to go to spiritual healers or imams first, but, unfortunately, they do not tend to signpost or attend mental health services due to stigma or even, in some cases, exploitation when some are running a business charging £100 plus, it is not in their business interest to tell people to get treated, unfortunately, especially in the West where medical and psychological treatment is easily accessible, unlike back in the motherland where there are only a few mental health professionals and a lack of access to psychotropic medication which is expensive for ordinary people to upkeep.

Source: Hiiraan Online