The Muslim Community Helpline has helped numerous callers since 1987. Read below about the experiences of some callers who have been ringing us for emotional and psychological support.
“I didn’t know who to turn to. I didn’t feel that people had understood my mental health issues. I was having panic attacks, anxiety and was diagnosed by my General Practitioner and Consultant Psychiatrist as having Chronic Anxiety Disorder. I had little trust and faith in the Muslim community and struggled to find someone to talk to and felt it was easy to talk to a volunteer at the Helpline.
I was worried about the stigma and reaction to my problems if I told my family or someone in the community. I got a lot of emotional support and help to become more independent and manage my anxiety more effectively on a daily basis. I was able to trust more in people after to speaking to the Helpline volunteer.
I’m now feeling more happy, confident and positive just knowing the Helpline is there. Talking to the same people has really helped, especially when I had some really difficult dilemmas. I just want to say thank you to everyone for the tremendous support you gave me to move on positively in life. I managed to achieve my ultimate goal, which was to go to university. You played a really positive role in getting me to achieve my degree through some really difficult times.”
— “Khalil” (not his real name)
“I was encouraged by a friend to ring the Muslim Community Helpline.
I reluctantly plucked up the courage to ring the helpline a couple of years ago. I was extremely nervous. But, from the moment go, I was put at ease and made to feel welcome.
The support worker who picked up the phone was an exceptional listener. She gave me the time and space to explain my issues in detail.
I was not made to feel like a ‘number’ or part of tick-boxing exercise, as is usually the case with other organisations in the mental health space. For instance, I was not hurried or pressured to get off the line for the next caller.
She was not judgemental at all and demonstrated a remarkable degree of empathy for my predicaments.
When I started calling the MCH a couple of years ago, I was a beaten and broken person, on the receiving end of relentless daily criticism and emotional abuse from two family members who’d made me suffer for decades and totally destroyed my self-worth. Now, I have managed to break free from their grip on me.
I feel in control of my life for the first time.
I feel better than at any point in my entire adult life.
I feel that I have a bright future to look forward to.”
— “Yusuf” (not his real name)
“I found myself in a very dark place and didn’t know where to turn for an Islamic perspective that would offer compassion, understanding and empathy that we know our religion embraces. So often we have cultural taboos and misinformed versions of how to resolve family and personal matters.
Alhumdolillah, my prayers were answered when my first call was answered by a very experienced and professional sister who simply listened with complete confidentiality and without judgment. Now, in a short time later I have found my way back to peace and tranquility. This experience has strengthened my faith and I’m eternally grateful for that.
I would strongly encourage anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation to simply pick up the phone and give yourself the opportunity to start the healing process, it’s a journey well worth taking.”
— “Asma” (not her real name)
“Life can be incredibly challenging at times and being able to navigate our way through these moments can be exhausting. We could all use some support when times get rough; someone to talk to in our darkest moments when we feel there’s no hope and no way out. Simply picking up the phone and talking to someone who will listen without judgement and provide new perspectives can provide us with hope and the first steps to recovery.
This is exactly what I did and could quite honestly mention that my experience using this helpline has been life changing, alhamdulilla.
May Allah (swt) bless and reward these incredible people who are actively working to help others in our community through the Muslim Community Helpline (Ameen).”
— “Hiba” (not her real name)
Example: Male caller addicted to pornography who rang the Helpline for support:
“I need help. I have an addiction and can’t seem to stop. I’m going to lose my wife and children if I carry on. Who can I talk to and what sort of help is available? I can’t go to my imam or the mosque, I know I’ll be judged and I feel so ashamed to tell anyone.”
Find out more about the Muslim Community Helpline on this page and how to support us here.
Muslim Community Helpline 