by Francine Knowles
Arshia Wajid, founder and president of the Chicago-based national nonprofit American Muslim Health Professionals, has been tackling public health issues affecting the Muslim American community for more than a decade. Her efforts landed her a seat at a recent roundtable with President Barack Obama and 13 other Muslim leaders from diverse fields across the country. It was the first roundtable Obama had exclusively with Muslim American leaders and covered a range of topics.
Wajid, 37, holds a master’s degree in business administration and public health and has worked in health care for about 12 years, currently as a health care consultant with Huron Consulting Group. She has volunteered as clinic coordinator for the Inner-City Muslim Action Network’s Health Clinic, which serves the uninsured on Chicago’s South Side and spoke at an Institute for Diversity in Healthcare Management Conference on how hospitals can provide a more inclusive environment for Muslim patients and employees.
She discusses the Obama meeting, damage caused by anti-Muslim rhetoric and the faith that guides her life. She also talks about the work AMHP is doing in addressing health issues facing Muslim Americans.
I felt there was a need for an organization that can foster professional development. I wanted there to be a platform where Muslim health professionals can collaborate and dialogue, Muslim professionals who are seeking to advance public health, social justice and civic engagement within their communities.
Mental health and emotional well being are becoming increasing topics of concern because after 9/11, we’ve seen an increase in Islamophobia and anti-Muslim rhetoric, which eventually leads to some members of our community facing mental health issues.
Part of the problem in the Muslim community is there is stigma, shame and cultural taboo associated when you’re seeking mental health counseling and help. We’re trying to increase the conversation around mental health so we can reduce the stigma and make it a topic that everyone can feel comfortable discussing.
We’ve worked with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a federal organization, in launching a national webinar series along with the Islamic Society of North America. These series covered topics, ranging from understanding trauma to challenges of youth resilience in the face of alienation and discrimination.
This past year, in collaboration with Muslim Wellness Foundation, we worked on rolling out mental health first-aid training. We trained 31 imams, chaplains and community leaders to identify signs of mental illness and substance abuse disorders and to be the first responders. We did a pilot program in D.C., and we are seeking funding. Once we get the funding, we plan to roll this out in at least four to five cities this year. Chicago is one of them.
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