"Women's empowerment group focusing on mental health and overall well-being beyond just physical fitness"
In the heart of Leicester, a grassroots initiative named Sisters4Islam is making a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of local Muslim women. The organisation, led by Ayesha Acharya, has been credited with providing a safe space for women to process their feelings and overcome challenges such as loneliness, depression, and emotional abuse.
Sisters4Islam, an offshoot of the Muslim Women’s Network UK, aims to address loneliness within the Muslim community by fostering a welcoming environment where women can connect, share experiences, and support one another. One of their key strategies is the creation of community-centered gatherings that encourage open dialogue and peer support, two core strategies in grassroots mental health work.
A woman who wished to remain anonymous found the Sisters4Islam sessions invaluable in her journey to process years of depression and emotional abuse in her marriage. She is not alone in her experience; many of the women supported by Sisters4Islam face challenges such as juggling caring responsibilities, cultural stigma around mental health, and not speaking English as a first language.
Acharya, who leads health and wellbeing at Sisters4Islam, has delivered five Couch to 5K programs and run a total of 100km to raise awareness of the need for better mental health support. The weekly running ritual provides a rare moment of connection for many women who participate.
Inspired by Sisters4Islam, Allia Amjad, a cancer survivor, started her own support group, At-Taqwa Cancer Support Group. While detailed information on At-Taqwa Cancer Support Group is not provided, similar groups often offer peer support, information sharing, and culturally sensitive programming to enhance mental health and reduce isolation.
The Centre for Mental Health suggests that the NHS should work closely with community groups like Sisters4Islam to implement more faith and culturally informed mental health support. This collaboration could help address the significant mental health inequalities faced by many Muslims, as highlighted by the Centre for Mental Health.
Grassroots groups like Sisters4Islam and At-Taqwa Cancer Support Group play a crucial role in building trust and addressing the stigma around mental health in Muslim communities. By integrating faith, culture, and support into their programs, these groups are filling gaps in mainstream mental health services for Muslim women.
A 2024 report by the thinktank Equi identified specific triggers for loneliness in Muslim communities in the UK, including deprivation, geographical isolation, and discrimination. Despite these risks, loneliness is often undervalued compared to other mental health issues. However, the health risks associated with loneliness are significant, comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, according to the World Health Organization.
Acharya credits her faith for her resilience and the success of Sisters4Islam, stating, "If I didn't have my faith, I would not be sitting here today." She believes that an empowered woman empowers other women and is dedicated to helping women who suffer in silence.
In conclusion, initiatives like Sisters4Islam and At-Taqwa Cancer Support Group are making a tangible difference in the lives of Muslim women in the UK. By providing safe spaces, peer support, and culturally sensitive programming, these grassroots organisations are helping to combat loneliness and improve mental health outcomes for women who may otherwise struggle to access mainstream mental health services.
The health and wellbeing sector recognized the impactful efforts of Sisters4Islam in addressing the mental health concerns of Muslim women through their cultivation of safe spaces and supportive community gatherings. Notably, Sisters4Islam has also expanded their focus to include fitness and exercise, with programs such as Couch to 5K, to foster overall health-and-wellness for women of the Muslim community.
Similarly, empowered by the example set by Sisters4Islam, Allia Amjad, a cancer survivor, founded the At-Taqwa Cancer Support Group, which extends support to Muslim women facing health challenges while emphasizing mental health, women's health, and the significance of peer support.
