In this episode, we sit down with a community member who openly shares their journey with a bipolar diagnosis. We discuss the confusion, fear, hope, and strength that accompanies diagnosis and the path ahead. The conversation also dives into what it means to navigate mental health challenges personally, while also exploring the critical impact family, friends, and communities can have in creating safe spaces of compassion and understanding.
In today’s episode, Saima and Arman are joined by Dr. Andy Kough, a marine biologist at the Shedd Aquarium, to explore the fascinating parallels between clinical psychology and the natural world. Together, they dive into how creatures like the queen conch and lobster reflect our own human experiences; patience, vulnerability, and growth. From the endurance of the conch to the transformative molting of the lobster, this conversation unpacks how nature mirrors the therapeutic process and what it means to heal, adapt, and find strength in community. If you’re interested to learn more, visit the Shedd Aquarium to learn more about the remarkable ecosystems and creatures that remind us what it means to be resilient beneath the waves.
In today’s episode Aleena and Afrah unpack the middle stages of therapy! During this conversation they will cover the therapeutic alliance, what are some common feelings that come up for the client and therapist, as well as some examples of goals & homework.
Today we’re joined by Maryam, a member of our Project Taqwa team, to talk about the connection between physical injury and mental health. Drawing on experiences with sports-related injuries and the challenges they bring to one’s sense of identity, we also explore how injury more broadly can affect daily life, emotions, and overall well-being.
In today’s episode Aleena and Nui dive into the beginning stages of therapy and provide a crash-course on what a client can expect in their first sessions!
In today's episode, Saima, Sumaiyah, and Aleena return for Part 2 of Inside the Anxious Mind! Together, we explore anxiety through an intergenerational lens, examining the distinct challenges and experiences faced by different age groups. We'll dive into various strategies and perspectives aimed at bridging the generational gap in understanding anxiety, fostering empathy, and building a more supportive environment for all. ------------- Submit your questions here! https://tinyurl.com/mmhpsubmissions Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FEJAmhAPZuteEr4jvnDSn?si=NOQLF7bQTB-75--UucdtOA Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-muslim-mental-health-podcast/id1690945262 Connect with Us! Linktree: https://linktr.ee/projecttaqwa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project.taq... Website: https://projecttaqwa.org/
In today's episode Saima, Sumaiyah, Aleena, & Qasim will take a deep dive into the anxious mind! Join us as we navigate the complexity of anxiety & how we may maneuver through these mental & physical hurdles. ------------- Submit your questions here! https://tinyurl.com/mmhpsubmissions Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1FEJAmh... Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Connect with Us! Linktree: https://linktr.ee/projecttaqwa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project.taq... Website: https://projecttaqwa.org/
In today's episode Sumaiyah, Hiba, Aleena, & Qasim will discuss some struggles when facing post Ramadan blues. Join us as we explore ways we can strive for steadfastness in faith, remain present & intentional, and how we can rely on one another as a community. ------------- Submit your questions here! https://tinyurl.com/mmhpsubmissions Connect with Us! Linktree: https://linktr.ee/projecttaqwa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project.taqwa/?hl=en Website: https://projecttaqwa.org/
In today's episode Imaan, Mayce, & Qasim will discuss the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the toll that has been taken on the community. Join us as we discuss ways to process, reflect, & continue to advocate for our brothers and sisters in Palestine. --- Connect with Us! Linktree: https://linktr.ee/projecttaqwa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project.taqwa/?hl=en Website: https://projecttaqwa.org
Aleena, Qasim, & Imaan are back to discuss the world of social media & its impacts on our mental health. They will touch on the positives & negatives social media can present, as well as how we can build boundaries and maintain a balance. The episode closes off with some ways we can use social media as a healthy & beneficial tool in our daily lives! (1:27) - Discussing the Positives & Negatives of Social Media (16:42) - Building Boundaries & Balance (31:10) - Utilizing Social Media as a Healthy Tool --- Submit your questions here! https://tinyurl.com/mmhpsubmissions Connect with Us! Linktree: https://linktr.ee/projecttaqwa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project.taqwa/?hl=en Website: https://projecttaqwa.org/ Support Project Taqwa and this Podcast by visiting: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/projecttaqwa/support
Aleena & Qasim return for Episode 6 and are joined by Dr. Shoaib Memon! Dr. Shoaib Memon is a board-certified psychiatrist & psychotherapist serving patients for more than 14 years throughout Illinois from his practice located in downtown Chicago. Throughout the episode they will define psychotherapy, discuss the different aspects that make therapy healing, & touch on some milestones and developments individuals can experience as they progress through therapy! (0:57) - Dr. Shoaib Memon Introduction (5:58) - How Can We Define Psychotherapy? (8:51) - What Mechanisms & Principles Underlie Psychotherapy? (13:52) - Advice for Individuals Seeking Psychotherapy (18:17) - Navigating Medication & Therapy (25:14) - Addressing Symptoms & Moving Towards Long-Term Change (31:51) - What to Expect When First Starting Psychotherapy (38:03) - Personal Milestones & Developments (42:40) - Dr. Shoaib’s Takeaway (45:07) - Teasing our Upcoming Episode with Dr. Shoaib: Group Therapy --- Submit your questions here! https://tinyurl.com/mmhpsubmissions Connect with Us! Linktree: https://linktr.ee/projecttaqwa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project.taqwa/?hl=en Website: https://projecttaqwa.org/ Support Project Taqwa and this Podcast by visiting: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/projecttaqwa/support
Aleena & Qasim are back for Episode 5 & joined by our first ever guest Salman Pervez, founder of Spartan Shifa at Michigan State University! Aleena, Qasim, & Salman will share their unique experiences starting mental health programming at UIUC & MSU. Throughout the episode they will touch on the dynamic with the MSA & community, formulating an event structure, as well as facing vulnerable moments as a facilitator, among much more. (1:15) - Salman Pervez & Spartan Shifa Background (3:20) - Aleena & Qasim First Introduction to Project Taqwa (5:38) - Catering Spartan Shifa to the MSA Community (11:07) - Facing Pushback from Community Members (13:50) - Balancing Topics & Structure (18:20) - Amplifying the Resources at Our Disposal & Thinking Long Term (26:30) - Initial Event Ideas & Getting Started (29:55) - Facing Vulnerable Moments as a Facilitator & It’s OK to Say You Don’t Know! (35:50) - What If I Don’t Have a Vast Amount of Resources? (38:26) - Utilizing the Context of the School Year & Your Community (Ramadan, etc.) (42:20) - Reach Out to Project Taqwa & Spartan Shifa! --- Submit your questions here! https://tinyurl.com/mmhpsubmissions Connect with Us! Linktree: https://linktr.ee/projecttaqwa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project.taqwa/?hl=en Website: https://projecttaqwa.org/ Support Project Taqwa and this Podcast by visiting: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/projecttaqwa/support
Aleena, Qasim, and Imaan return to give you a glimpse into the world of therapy. Join the conversation as they discuss the client-therapist relationship, the various boundaries that shape the therapeutic journey, and tackle some myths and stereotypes surrounding therapy. This episode will also address our first-ever Listener Q&A! (0:40) - Episode Begins (1:23) - Initial Perspective from Imaan (2:39) - How is Therapy Different from Talking to a Family Member or Friend? (4:43) - Boundaries Between Client & Therapist (6:10) - What if it’s Hard to Open Up to My Therapist? (10:30) - What if I Lack a Connection with My Therapist? (16:50) - Debunking Common Stereotypes about Therapy (17:02) - “Do Therapists Solve All of My Problems?” (19:35) - “Is Therapy Just Lying on the Couch & Venting?” (24:24) - “You’re too Dependent on Your Therapist” (26:57) - “If You Go to Therapy You Will Receive Medication” (30:03) - Key Takeaways (31:07) - Listener Q&A --- Submit your questions here! https://tinyurl.com/mmhpsubmissions Connect with Us! Linktree: https://linktr.ee/projecttaqwa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project.taqwa/?hl=en Website: https://projecttaqwa.org/ Support Project Taqwa and this Podcast by visiting: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/projecttaqwa/support
In this episode Qasim is joined by two special members of the Project Taqwa Team, Saima & Sabrina! Throughout the episode they will discuss some ways to open up the conversation surrounding mental health with our Parents. Qasim, Saima, & Sabrina will breakdown certain responses & scenarios faced when having these nuanced conversations among much more! (0:40) - Episode Begins & Guest Hosts Intros! (4:07) - Introduction to the Topic (8:48) - Opening up the Conversation Surrounding Mental Health (13:41) - How can we Understand our Parents’ Perspective (19:26) - The Varying Responses from our Parents - The Good (24:50) - Handling Initial Resistance from our Parents (34:19) - Facing Opposition from Parents and our Mental Health (39:09) - How can I Address my Mental Health Outside of Therapy? (42:37) - Key Takeaways & Wrap - Up --- Submit your questions here! https://tinyurl.com/mmhpsubmissions Connect with Us! Linktree: https://linktr.ee/projecttaqwa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project.taqwa/?hl=en Website: https://projecttaqwa.org/ Support Project Taqwa and this Podcast by visiting: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/projecttaqwa/support
In today's episode Aleena, Qasim, & Imaan dive into some of the first steps & expectations when seeking therapy! They will discuss common misconceptions of therapy, different types of mental health providers, finding the “right” therapist, among much more. Introduction - (0:40) Common Misconceptions of Therapy (1:15) Different Types of Mental Health Providers - (4:00) First Steps Towards Therapy - (10:35) First Contact & Finding the “Right” Therapist - (16:58) Balancing between Muslim & Non-Muslim Therapists - (18:18) What if I don’t click with my Therapist? - (22:38) Potential Barriers of Going to Therapy - (26:04) Financial Concerns (31:30) --- Submit your questions here! https://tinyurl.com/mmhpsubmissions Connect with Us! Linktree: https://linktr.ee/projecttaqwa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project.taqwa/?hl=en Website: https://projecttaqwa.org/ Support Project Taqwa and this Podcast by visiting: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/projecttaqwa/support
Welcome to the first episode of the Muslim Mental Health Podcast by Project Taqwa! Join our hosts Imaan, Aleena, & Qasim as they discuss the background of Project Taqwa & what you can expect for future episodes of the Muslim Mental Health Podcast. --- Submit your questions here! https://tinyurl.com/mmhpsubmissions Connect with Us! Linktree: https://linktr.ee/projecttaqwa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project.taqwa/?hl=en Website: https://projecttaqwa.org/ Support Project Taqwa and this Podcast by visiting: podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/projecttaqwa/support