Mental Health Service Utilization and Psychological Help-Seeking Preferences Among Canadian Muslims
Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
18 March 2022
Abstract
Muslims in Canada may have unmet psychological service needs, but little is known about their past use of, and future preferences for, mental health services. We addressed this gap with an online survey of 238 Canadian Muslims. Analyses investigated differences in intentions to seek support from various informal and formal sources. A majority (65%) of the sample reported at least moderate levels of current distress but only 48.7% sought professional treatment in their lifetimes. Participants preferred dealing with future psychological concerns themselves or with friends/family, closely followed by professional help. Imams were the least preferred source of support.
Résumé
Au Canada, certains musulmans ont pu rencontrer des difficultés pour obtenir des services psychologiques répondant à leurs besoins. Mais leurs expériences passées et leurs attentes en ce domaine sont peu documentées. Nous avons donc analysé la situation à la faveur d’un questionnaire en ligne auprès de 238 Canadiens musulmans. Il s’agissait de préciser les différentes manières informelles ou non de rechercher du support. Une majorité (65 %) des répondants a rapporté au moins un niveau modéré de détresse courante, mais seulement 48,7 % ont eu recours à des traitements professionnels durant leur vie. Dans l’ordre, les participants préféraient traiter leurs problèmes psychologiques éventuels par eux-mêmes ou à
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Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 41 • Number 1 • January 2022
Pages: 35 - 45
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Version of record online: 18 March 2022
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Belal Zia, Shahad Abdulrazaq, and Corey S. Mackenzie. 2022. Mental Health Service Utilization and Psychological Help-Seeking Preferences Among Canadian Muslims. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health.
41(1): 35-45. https://doi.org/10.7870/cjcmh-2022-003
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