ASIYAH FERNANDEZ

MA INTEGRATIVE COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY, UNIVERSITY OF ROEHAMPTON 

My previous studies and clinical experience in acute mental health and primary care have revealed the challenging societal milieu that has led to a drastic increase in mental health diagnoses among our youngest British Muslims.

For those with acute mental health difficulties, self-harm has become their new coping mechanism, and suicidal attempts an escape from their painful reality. With long-standing taboos against mental health, our Muslim community is in need of culturally and religiously informed mental health practitioners.

My hope is that by pursuing my qualification as an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist for Children, Adolescents and Families, I will be able to address the realities and issues faced by young Muslims and their families to facilitate wholeness in the affective, cognitive, behavioural, and spiritual systems.