Research Snapshot: A faith-based approach to trauma healing for Muslim communities
Somaliland, like many conflict-affected countries, is in dire need of mental health services, with communities affected by multiple humanitarian crises and traumatic events while facing barriers to accessing effective mental health care. Conventional trauma-focused treatments are Western-based and require extensive training. Enhancing the capacity of existing community infrastructures could provide accessible, effective, and culturally appropriate treatment.
Islamic Trauma Healing (ITH) is a community-led program to target the psychological impact of trauma while promoting community reconciliation. It is a 6-session, manualised, mosque-based group program combining Islamic principles, prayer, and core concepts, with evidence-based psychotherapy practices. This study showed its effectiveness at reducing trauma in Somaliland, and potential for further research and investment in scale-up.
This snapshot contains key messages, findings, implications for humanitarian policymakers and practitioners and recommendations for further research.