Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research
UncategorizedGeneral PsychologyPsychology & Mental HealthSeriesVideo

Are Religiosity and Mental Health Connected? | DoubleTake S3 E13

July 6, 2022
Dr. Farah Islam, Dr. Osman Umarji and Mohamad Zaoud

Listen on your favorite podcast app!

The importance of mental health is discussed everywhere today, from workplaces and schools to television shows and social media. In most cases, however, it has a distinctly secular approach. There is rarely any mention of the role that faith and spirituality can play in mental well-being.

A recent study by Yaqeen makes the case that religiosity is not only relevant to mental health, but central to it. What are the biggest factors affecting the mental health of Muslims? How can religiosity lead to positive psychological outcomes? Can religiosity even be measured?

In this season finale, host Mohamad Zaoud talks to Dr. Osman Umarji and Dr. Farah Islam, co-authors of “Faith in Mind: Islam’s Role in Mental Health.” Read the study here: https://yqn.io/mqg

Share your feedback!

Dr. Farah Islam

Dr. Farah Islam

Farah Islam, PhD, is a mental health advocate, educator, and researcher. She explores mental health and service access in Canada's racialized and immigrant populations and orients her research and community work around breaking down the barriers of mental health stigma. Dr. Farah is a Senior Fellow in the Data and Psychospiritual Department at Yaqeen Institute. She has taught courses in Muslim mental health at the University of Toronto, Islamic Online University, and the Islamic Institute of Toronto and currently serves on the expert advisory committee for the Muslim women’s shelter, Nisa Homes.

View all posts
Avatar

Dr. Osman Umarji

Director of Survey Research and Evaluation | Dr. Osman Umarji holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s and Ph.D in Educational Psychology from UC Irvine. He has studied Islam at al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt. His research interests include the development of human motivation, religious socialization, spirituality, and Islamic legal theory. Dr. Umarji is also an Adjunct Professor in the School of Education at UC Irvine. He has previously taught child development, adolescent development, and statistics. His expertise in both psychological and Islamic sciences allows him to conduct empirical research on contemporary issues facing Muslims.

View all posts
Mohamad Zaoud

Mohamad Zaoud

Mohamad Zaoud is a brand and media specialist having spent 8 years at Al Jazeera, most recently leading digital content strategy. Mohamad has extensive experience working within the Australian Muslim community and currently holds positions in several Muslim organisations in Sydney.

View all posts