Symposium addresses practical ways to support the mental health of Muslim youth

Calgary, AB – Being a young Muslim in Canada today can be challenging. This reality was echoed by hundreds of Muslims across the country during a five-year national study led by Dr. Aamir Jamal, a Faculty of Social Work researcher at the University of Calgary. Building on the findings of the Canadian Muslim Youth Identity Project, Jamal is launching the next phase of this impactful project with a day-long symposium this Sunday, November 24, 11:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Polish Canadian Cultural Centre in Calgary. This event marks the first in a national symposium series that will also visit Montreal and Vancouver in the spring of 2025.

The Muslim Youth Identity and Wellbeing: Insights and Practices symposium will explore actionable ways to support Muslim youth. The transdisciplinary discussions will focus on culturally informed interventions, education, and policy changes to improve the mental health and well-being of Muslim youth while helping them navigate the challenges of balancing their Canadian and religious identities.

“This is about more than academic discussion. The symposium is a platform for policymakers, community leaders and practitioners to collaborate on culturally and religiously informed solutions.”

Dr. Aamir Jamal, PhD, Faculty of Social Work Researcher

The event will include a panel discussion with Muslim youth, who will speak on their lived experiences. Keynote speakers include Amira Elghawaby, Canada's Special Representative for Combating Islamophobia, and Mustafa Khattab, Scholar and author of The Clear Qur'an, Addressing Racism and Youth Mental Health: A Quranic Perspective.

Other speakers include Dr. Abdul Rahman (child psychiatrist, clinical professor at UCalgary), Aasiyah Khan (National Council of Canadian Muslims, director of education), Dr. Mahdi Qasqas (registered psychologist), and, Ijaz Tahir (Islamic Circle of North America, Canadian president).

The speakers will discuss the conflicts Muslim youth often face between their Canadian identity and their faith, rooted in pervasive sterotypes and racial profiling. As well as the documented surge in Islamophobia in recent years. Such discrimination takes a significant toll on mental health, highlighting the urgent need for culturally sensitive, faith-based mental health programs.

One of the symposium’s key recommendations is equipping mosques and community centers with resources to provide tailored mental health support. This includes training community leaders and mental health professionals while creating spaces where youth feel safe discussing mental health without fear of stigma.

Jamal’s research also found that Muslim youth frequently feel misrepresented in media portrayals, which often associate Islam with terrorism or extremism. These harmful stereotypes pressure many young Muslims to downplay their identities to avoid negative interactions. 

The symposium will address this issue by advocating for media-literacy initiatives and journalist training to improve representation and counter harmful stereotypes. Highlighting the contributions of Canadian Muslims in various sectors is one proposed approach to shifting public narratives.

Despite these challenges, Jamal’s research shows that many Muslim youth maintain a strong sense of pride in their Canadian identity. They value Canada’s freedoms and are committed to making meaningful contributions to society. 

"This generation of Muslim youth is more confident and outspoken than previous ones, embracing a modern understanding of Islam that aligns with their Canadian experiences. We’re at a pivotal moment to create real change. This symposium is about standing with Muslim youth, supporting their journeys, and affirming their rightful place in Canada."

Dr. Aamir Jamal, PhD

Funded by a Connection Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, this national symposium series aims to drive meaningful dialogue and lasting impact. 

Media inquiries

Don McSwiney (he/him)
Communications Director, Faculty of Social Work
403-408-9701
don.mcswiney@ucalgary.ca

About the University of Calgary
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About the Faculty of Social Work
UCalgary Social Work is Canada’s largest school of social work and a North American leader in social work research. We provide online and on-campus learning from our Calgary, Edmonton and Lethbridge locations. For more information, visit socialwork.ucalgary.ca.