What are key factors in preventing help-seeking behavior for mental health among Muslim immigrants in the US? What are effective strategies to promote help-seeking behavior?
Project by Polygence alum Avani
Project's result
There were 2 project outcomes: a literature review and an infographic. The infographic is essentially a simplified version of the literature review in a more visual format.
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Summary
This literature review explores the key factors that prevent help-seeking behavior for mental health among Muslim immigrants in the US and effective strategies to promote help-seeking behavior. Key factors covered include religious beliefs, cultural and societal factors, and structural barriers. As a result of these factors and prevalent discrimination in the US, Muslims face worsening symptom presentation, adjustment disorder, and more. Proposed strategies to promote help-seeking include cost-effective, culturally tailored, and linguistically available resources; more research into the diverse mental health needs of Muslims; and community-based approaches that involve religious leaders. Addressing these barriers is critical to improving the mental health outcomes of Muslim immigrants.
Sandra
Polygence mentor
PhD Doctor of Philosophy candidate
Subjects
Psychology
Expertise
Social Justice Issues, Psychology, Identity Development, Eating Disorders, Mental Health, Latin American Studies, Spanish, Developmental Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Career Psychology
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Avani
Student
Graduation Year
2026
Project review
“I had a great experience with my project. My mentor began by helping me grow familiar with potential research project ideas that I might consider exploring before helping me narrow it down to a specific and achievable project idea. After this, I began my research and grew very familiar with the topic I was focusing on. My mentor made sure to give me enough time to meet all my research goals and always followed up to see how I was doing with the workload. After organizing all my notes into an outline, I began to write my research paper. When I was finished, I created an infographic to make the information more accessible. Although it was definitely not easy, I feel very proud of my work and am excited to share it with the world.”
About my mentor
“I loved my mentor! She was very experienced and knowledgeable and always was prepared during our sessions. Furthermore, she always started sessions by checking in on me and asking me about my life, making the sessions stress-free and fun! I especially liked how she made sure I was satisfied with whatever I was doing to make me feel like I wasn't being forced to do anything. In addition, she made sure I created an outline before I began writing which made my life so much easier in the long run.”
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