​THE INSTITUTE FOR MUSLIM MENTAL HEALTH PRESENTS:
Meet the Expert Webinar Series

​Mental health continues to be one of the most pressing yet under-discussed issues affecting communities today. Within American Muslim communities, it is shaped by unique social, cultural, and systemic realities that deserve deeper attention and informed dialogue.

​Join us for a Meet the Expert Webinar on Thursday, May 21 at 7 PM ET, featuring Petra Alsoofy, Senior Outreach & Partnerships Manager at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, as she presents critical new findings on the state of mental health among American Muslims. 🌿

​Mental Health in Decline: New Data on American Muslims

​Using data from ISPU’s American Muslim Poll 2025, which provides nationally representative data on American Muslims, a new analysis shows that mental health is in decline.

​American Muslims are the youngest and most diverse faith community in this country- ethnically, socioeconomically, and politically. The individual and combined demographics and experiences of Muslims in the United States show their elevated risk of chronic stress, which leads to a higher prevalence of mental health disorders, as well as systemic barriers to accessing the treatment needed to recover.

​The study shows that more than one-fifth (22%) of Muslims rate their mental health as “fair” or “poor,” more likely than the general public (18%), Protestants (13%), and white Evangelicals (9%) to rate their mental health as “fair” or “poor.”

​It also shows that while Muslim adults were among the least likely to seek professional mental health treatment, they were just as likely as other groups to report having a child under 18 who has received treatment from a mental health professional (11%), including Jews (14%), Catholics (10%), Protestants (12%), white Evangelicals (19%), the non-affiliated (18%), and the general public (13%).

​This study and others by ISPU highlight important factors and recommendations on mental health, drug abuse, systemic barriers and solutions, and coping among American Muslims.

​Join us to learn more about this information and support the work being done to improve outcomes for Muslims across the country.

​This session offers more than statistics—it opens a window into the lived realities behind the data, helping us better understand the challenges facing Muslim communities and the pathways toward meaningful, evidence-based solutions.

​Join us for this timely and important conversation. 🌱🧠

​About the Expert

​Petra Alsoofy is the Senior Outreach and Partnerships Manager at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU). ISPU, a nonprofit applied research organization, provides objective research and education about American Muslims to support well-informed dialogue and decision-making. Petra’s work at ISPU includes strengthening valued partnerships and creating new ones, ensuring ISPU’s research reaches the public and critical stakeholders such as policymakers, community and interfaith leaders, media professionals, and educators. She has developed and conducted various trainings and programs, including briefings on Capitol Hill, researchers’ convenings, major conference and media appearances, and subject area expert meetings on American Muslim communities.