Developing clear, practical insights into how culturally and faith‑aligned mental health support can be designed and delivered to better meet the needs of young Muslim women and reduce barriers to care.
Why the research is needed?
Mental ill-health among young people is increasing, with young women significantly more likely to experience anxiety and depression than young men. Mental health also affects people from minority ethnic backgrounds differently. Research suggests that Muslim communities may experience higher levels of long-term depression, yet British Muslims are less likely to access mental health services. This can be due to factors such as stigma, barriers to access, and a lack of culturally appropriate support. Many existing services do not fully reflect the cultural and religious needs of Muslim women, which can make it harder to seek help or stay engaged with support. There is limited research on mental health programmes that are adapted to Islamic beliefs and cultural experiences.
What are we doing?
This study aims to understand whether a faith-based approach is acceptable and feasible, and how services can better support young Muslim women. We will achieve this by, inviting 60 Muslim women aged 18 - 24 with low mood or depression to take part in this study, where they will be randomly assigned to either a faith‑based group programme reflecting Muslim values and culture or a standard psychoeducational mental health group. Each participant will attend one 90‑minute weekly session for 6 weeks, with up to 10 people per group, and will be involved in the study for a total of 6 months. They will complete questionnaires before the programme begins, after the 6‑week sessions end, and again 24 weeks after joining, covering topics such as mood, anxiety, wellbeing, quality of life, religious coping, and service use. Additionally, some participants and staff may be invited to take part in a one‑off interview or focus group to share their experiences.
How are we working with communities, services and organisations?
We work in close partnership with communities, services and organisations to ensure the IM-Adapted study is relevant, inclusive and grounded in lived experience. Public involvement is embedded throughout the study, with a dedicated working group and the Young Women’s Advisory Group (YWAG) shaping key aspects of the research, including recruitment approaches, study materials and evaluation.
We actively engage with Muslim communities through outreach with community groups, Islamic societies and organisations, as well as through events, social media, regular updates and blogs to raise awareness and support recruitment.
Our approach is reflective and inclusive, with ongoing feedback and evaluation built into the project. Community partners and YWAG members contribute to analysis and dissemination, helping to ensure the study remains community-informed and that findings are shared in meaningful and accessible ways.
What will the impact and benefits of this research be?
This study will assess whether a full-scale trial of a culturally adapted mental health intervention for young Muslim women is achievable. It will examine recruitment, retention, acceptability and delivery to identify what works well and what needs refining. Findings will inform the design of a future trial and, ultimately, support the development of more inclusive and culturally appropriate mental health services, helping to reduce inequalities in care.
What do we have planned for knowledge mobilisation and implementation?
We will co-produce accessible outputs and share early learning through blogs, social media, community events and stakeholder networks. Findings will also be disseminated through academic publications and conferences. Crucially, insights from this study will directly inform the design and implementation of a future full trial, including refining recruitment strategies, intervention delivery and evaluation methods. We will engage with services and stakeholders to explore pathways for future implementation, ensuring the intervention is feasible, acceptable and ready for testing at scale.
Related papers, outputs and resources
Click here to view the IM-Adapted Study website
Who is involved?
- Principal Investigator: Professor Daksha Trivedi, University of Hertfordshire
- Project Manager: Megan Smith, University of Hertfordshire
- David Wellsted, University of Hertfordshire
- Louca-Mai Brady, University of Hertfordshire
- Silvana Mengoni, University of Hertfordshire
- Helen Munro Wild, University of Hertfordshire
- Pashtana Zormati, University of Hertfordshire
- Safiyah Khan, Inspirited Minds
- Andy Jones, C3 Collaborating for Health
- Ghazala Mir, University of Leeds
- Atiya Kamal, Birmingham City University
- Allan Clark, University of East Anglia
- David Turner, University of East Anglia
- Salman Waqar, British Islamic Medical Association
- Farzana Kara, Public Involvement
Get in contact
Email the project team, Professor Daksha Trivedi or Megan Smith at im-adapted@herts.ac.uk, d.trivedi@herts.ac.uk or m.smith25@herts.ac.uk.
