Groundbreaking radio show tackles mental health stigma in UK Muslim community
‘Well, Brother Show’ on Heritage Radio opens up conversations about mental health
MANCHESTER, UK (MNTV) – A pioneering radio show is taking bold steps to address the mental health challenges within the Muslim community, an area often shrouded in stigma.
The “Well, Brother Show,” broadcast every Monday and Wednesday on Heritage Radio, brings together three hosts who share their personal experiences with mental health, aiming to spark conversations that are rarely had in Muslim communities.
The show’s primary audience is Muslim men, though it has gained a significant following among women as well. The hosts cover a wide array of sensitive topics, including anxiety, depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), drug abuse, schizophrenia, and even suicide.
These issues, which affect many, are often not openly discussed due to cultural taboos. Heritage Radio, which serves Manchester’s diverse Muslim population, is the only station in the city providing this type of support.
Muhammad Khan, one of the hosts, emphasized the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.
He told Asian Image that his own experiences motivated him to educate others. “Mental health challenges can affect anyone, and we need to recognize that seeking help is essential,” Khan said.
He also noted that the Muslim community should embrace psychological and psychiatric support, rejecting the idea that mental health struggles are always linked to supernatural forces.
He highlighted that the first psychiatric ward was established in Baghdad in 705, emphasizing the Islamic tradition of seeking medical help.
Imran Rashid, another host and an architect, has dealt with PTSD and severe depression.
Speaking to Asian Image, he noted that discussing these struggles publicly can be difficult but necessary for helping others. Rashid expressed his hope that the show would help reduce the stigma still prevalent in the Muslim community.
He explained that in mainstream British society, awareness of mental health issues has increased significantly in recent years, a shift he wants to see mirrored within the Muslim community.
Abid Satwilkar, the third host, shared the feedback they’ve received from listeners, emphasizing the importance of the show in providing comfort and reassurance to those suffering in silence.
The hosts hope their conversations will inspire greater openness and understanding about mental health within the Muslim community.
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