A new study by INSEAD has highlighted the ongoing mental health struggles faced by young, Muslim, and lower-income communities in the UK, long after the COVID-19 pandemic. While most groups have seen a return to pre-pandemic mental health levels, these populations continue to suffer significantly.
Conducted by Professor Mark Stabile of INSEAD, along with Professor Miqdad Asaria from the London School of Economics and Henrique Neves from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the research tracked the mental health of around 40,000 households before and during the pandemic. The study highlights a significant disparity in the mental health trends between Muslims and non-Muslims in the UK, with Muslims experiencing a more pronounced and enduring decline in their mental well-being.
A Clear Mental Health Divide
Before the pandemic, Muslims and non-Muslims in the UK had comparable mental health scores. However, from April 2020, a significant mental health gap emerged, which persisted into late 2021. The study found that Muslims experienced a nearly 3-point decline on a 36-point mental health scale, which is almost three times the reduction seen among non-Muslims. While non-Muslims saw a recovery by September 2021, Muslims’ mental health scores remained almost 2 points lower than pre-pandemic levels.
The study shows that two-thirds of the disparity can be attributed to the fact that Muslims tend to be younger and are more likely to live in low-income households, both of which are linked to increased vulnerability to mental health issues. However, even when comparing poor, young Muslims to poor, young non-Muslims, the mental health decline among Muslims remained notably worse. This indicates that factors specific to being Muslim in the UK, such as experiences of discrimination, play a role in the mental health gap.
The Intersection of Poverty, Youth, and Faith
Professor Stabile commented, “Being young, poor, or Muslim in the UK each acted as an independent risk factor for experiencing a more severe mental health decline during the pandemic. The overlap of these identities means that Muslims were particularly vulnerable, suffering what we term a ‘triple mental health penalty.’ The pressing question is why being Muslim in the UK has contributed to such significant mental health disparities.”
Further analysis revealed that the mental health gap was consistent even when comparing different demographics, such as older, wealthier Muslims and their non-Muslim counterparts. The research also found that South Asian Muslims, in particular, experienced notable mental health challenges, which highlights the intersectionality of faith, race, and socio-economic status.
Calls for Targeted Mental Health Interventions
The study, which utilized data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study, used the General Health Questionnaire to measure mental health, where higher scores indicated better health. The research took into account variables such as age, income, household structure, and geographical location.
The study’s findings underscore the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on certain communities, particularly Muslims. These insights call for the urgent development of targeted mental health interventions to address the specific challenges faced by these vulnerable groups.
Professor Stabile concluded, “There is an urgent need for tailored mental health strategies to support Muslim communities, young people, and those from lower-income households who continue to bear the brunt of the pandemic’s long-term effects.”
Key Takeaways:
- Muslims in the UK faced a more significant and extended decline in mental health compared to non-Muslims during and after the pandemic.
- A significant portion of this decline is due to socio-economic factors such as youth and poverty, but discrimination also plays a key role.
- Mental health support and interventions tailored to these communities are essential to address the ongoing mental health challenges.