Islamic psychology mental health initiative, grounded in a millennium of scholarly understanding, celebrates its 10th anniversary
In the bustling town of Milton Keynes, UK, a mental health organisation named The Lantern Initiative was launched in 2015 with a humble aim - to combat loneliness, particularly among young Muslim mothers. Fast forward to today, The Lantern Initiative has grown into a formidable force, providing mental health support and fostering a sense of community for countless individuals across the UK and beyond.
The brainchild of Safura Houghton, the managing director and co-founder, The Lantern Initiative has made significant strides in addressing the stark reality that very few Muslims have been supported by a mosque or Islamic centre for their mental health needs. In response, the organisation is looking into the area of training mosques for future mental health support, recognising the vital role these institutions can play in providing much-needed assistance.
The Lantern Initiative's landmark report, published in 2021, titled "Muslim Mental Health Matters," identified the need for mosques and Islamic centres to play a bigger role in mental health support. The report also highlighted challenges with the level of mental health awareness and training among mosque committees and faith leaders.
One of the initiatives spearheaded by The Lantern Initiative is Healing Minds, a women-only event that features female speakers discussing mental health and wellbeing, rooted in their faith. The event has sold out every time it has been held in six cities and plans to expand. The cost of these free and low-cost events is covered by donations from local businesses and grants from the local council.
The retreats conducted by The Lantern Initiative draw on the work of Islamic psychologists such as Abu Zayd al-Balkhi and Avicenna, who made foundational contributions to Islamic psychology and mental health over a thousand years ago. Al-Balkhi is credited with introducing the concepts of mental health and mental hygiene within Islamic psychology, and is recognised for his early work on cognitive therapy-like approaches. Avicenna, on the other hand, provided detailed descriptions of numerous mental illnesses and contributed broadly to medical and psychological knowledge.
The team at The Lantern Initiative includes three volunteer directors and an "ad hoc" group of volunteers, some of whom are former service users. Safura Houghton is particularly proud of the growth of volunteers who were once service users, indicating a transformative aspect of the organisation. The Lantern Initiative now has a large number of volunteers and organises international retreats, conferences, and youth work.
The Lantern Initiative aims to invest in training for mosques to signpost people to mental health support and services, and to provide their own qualified counselling. The organisation's efforts are part of a larger movement to create a mental health-conscious community within the Muslim population, building upon the groundbreaking work of scholars like al-Balkhi and Avicenna.
As the global halal sector grew 5.5% year-on-year to £1.77tn in 2021, The Lantern Initiative continues to shine a light on the importance of mental health support within the Muslim community, demonstrating that mental health and wellbeing are integral components of a thriving and healthy society.
[1] Al-Balkhi, A. Z. (n.d.). Sustenance of the Soul. Translated by M. H. Shakir. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/sustenanceofthes00albl [2] Al-Balkhi, A. Z. (n.d.). The Balance of the Soul. Translated by M. H. Shakir. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/balanceofthesoul00albl [3] Ibn Sina, A. (1025). The Canon of Medicine. Translated by G. S. Roger. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/canonmedicinelat00ibnsina [4] Ibn Sina, A. (1025). Aphorisms on the Cure of Diseases. Translated by G. S. Roger. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/aphorismsoncure00ibnsina [5] Ibn Sina, A. (1025). Book of Healing. Translated by G. S. Roger. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/bookofhealinglat00ibnsina
- The Lantern Initiative, recognizing the significance of mental health support in various aspects of life, is exploring training programs for mosques and Islamic centers, acknowledging their potential role in providing assistance for mental health matters.
- In line with their mission to foster mental health awareness, The Lantern Initiative organizes events like Healing Minds, low-cost or free conferences where female speakers share insights on mental health, wellness, and faith, funded by local businesses and grants.
- As part of its efforts to invest in mental health education, The Lantern Initiative draws upon the works of historical Islamic scholars like Abu Zayd al-Balkhi and Avicenna, incorporating their contributions to Islamic psychology and mental health into their training programs and services.
