Times of Ahmad: Perspective: How Islamophobia Affects the Mental Health of Young South Asians in the West

Many young people feel scared to talk to others outside of our community out of genuine fear. They should feel comfortable to look to their own for support and advice without fearing stigma.

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: The Huffington Post
By Sheena Vasani | February 22, 2016

"I want to also help open up a conversation about how to deal."

Too often many approach mental health issues as personal problems, rather than reflective of greater social and political injustices — or perhaps even caused by. I think it’s one of the reasons mental health problems are not taken seriously enough.

Yet “the personal is political.” For centuries, sexism, racism and other forms of discrimination have crushed spirits.

Right now, Islamophobia is hurting all of us South Asians, Muslim or not. On a very basic level, South Asians — from Hindus and Sikhs to atheists — are being dehumanized based upon how we look. This is a burden we all share, not just Muslims.

Studies confirm the damage:

1. This 2012 study reveals how Islamophobia negatively affects the mental health of Muslims worldwide, ranging from increased feelings of anxiety to depression. What’s more, the study shows one does not even need to actually face discrimination; just the knowledge society fears and shuns those who look like you affects psychological health. That means it’s not just Muslims who can suffer from this, but Sikhs, Hindus and even atheist South Asians.

I worry that people will fear me; that they’ll disregard my navy blue United States passport and my Western values and see me only for my skin color, hijab, and last name. I worry that they will unjustly equate me with the Muslim people who have taken innocent lives and have tarnished the reputations of millions of American Muslims. - Amara Majeed via Bustle

2. The discrimination is taking its toll on children, leaving effects that last into adulthood. For example, a 2014 study /Sikh Coalition study reveals two-third of Sikh children donning turbans are bullied, while 50 percent of all Sikh children experienced bullying. Bullying can cause severe mental health damage. Indeed, the effects can even be worse than abuse.

Gunita Kaur said that this began taking its toll on her at just age 9:

I was nine years old when I became painfully aware of the fact that Sikhs living in the United States are at heightened risk of experiencing brutality. Living in New Jersey at the time, my family visited Ground Zero shortly after 9/11 to see the site and pay our respects to those who lost their lives. I vividly remember the smell of the ashes, the omnipresent dust and debris, the solemn, grim, looks on everyone’s faces — but most vividly I remember dirty looks directed at my dad. My hero. My friend. A person who adds enormous value to the world and who did not deserve the targeted stares of negativity and suspicion aimed at his turban.

I remember feeling several different emotions: I was confused - confused as to why people felt entitled to judge someone they didn’t know. I was angry - angry because something as seemingly harmless as a dirty look in fact stood for disgust, discrimination, and unfounded hatred. I was sad - sad because even at such a young age I understood that intolerance and ignorance are difficult problems to overcome.

What’s worse, many don’t feel they have a right to talk about what they’re going through:

What I’ve seen in the Muslim community psychologically is feeling a denial of emotion, feeling very disconnected that we can’t display this emotion because no one will believe it. No one will tolerate it, no one cares that we’re upset... — Mental health professional Kameelah Rashad said in an interview.

This is dangerous. Numerous studies illustrate excessive emotional repression can lead to all sorts of disorders.

So what can we as South Asians do to help?

Well, for one thing, now more than ever South Asians need to start talking about mental health problems. Many young people feel scared to talk to others outside of our community out of genuine fear. They should feel comfortable to look to their own for support and advice without fearing stigma.

For another, South Asians who are not Muslims need to stand up for those who are more than ever. I write as a current agnostic, but somebody who was brought up Hindu Gujarati. Besides the fact we are all experiencing discrimination, we are all equally human beings. If you choose to let old resentments get in the way, you’re engaging in the same hatred fueling racism against us all.

While I’ve listed a few resources below to help tackle young people currently dealing with Islamophobia, I’d love to hear from others to feature your voices, resources, and suggestions for The Desi Wellbeing Project.

I am always trying to collect stories to normalize mental health issues in the South Asian community for the project. I aim to encourage and celebrate those South Asians who cultivate wellbeing.

But I also want to start to stress the link between the greater social issues - past and present - that are contributing to high rates of emotional distress in our community.

Most importantly, I want to also help open up a conversation about how to deal.

Tell me about your experiences. I’d love to know how Islamophobia affected you growing up and how you’re healing. If you’re young, open up about what you’re going through. Tell me how you’re coping. If you’re an organization or a therapist, give me your tips. Let me know how you help.

You can email me at thedesiwellbeingproject@gmail.com.

Other Resources:
1 White House Anti-Bullying Campaign For Asian Americans
2. Muslim Wellness Foundation
3. The Sikh Coalition

__________________
If you — or someone you know — need help, please call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. If you are outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of international resources.
Follow Sheena Vasani on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SheenaVasani

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