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The
Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences Throughout the Lifespan
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Some of the most important and relevant work presented at the Muslim Mental Health
Conference (see below) concerned Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). One aspect
of the significance of the study for Muslims is to reflect upon the extent to which
Muslim family members are subjected to various kinds of trauma – including the trauma
that arises from having relatives and friends who are caught in conflicts around
the world. The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE Study) recruited over 17,000
participants between 1995 and 1997 and has done long-term follow up for health outcomes.
The study has demonstrated an association of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
with health and social problems as an adult. As knowledge about the prevalence and
consequences of adverse childhood experiences increases, trauma-informed and resilience-building
practices based on the research is being widely implemented. The graphic below presents
an overall summary of the findings. For more detailed information, see Adverse Childhood
Experiences (ACE) Study from the
CDC website.
Community Response to family issues.
On February 6, we presented the work of Project Sakinah to the Islamic Society of
Western Massachusetts (ISWM). The event was organized by brother Sufu Hashim with
the support of Dr. Salem Bajwa, Treasurer of the Board of the Center. A group of influential
decision makers in the community’s affairs attended, including the President
of the Board, Dr. Zubair Kareem, as well as Dr. Bajwa and the long-time Imam of
the center, Dr. Wissam Abdel-Baki. After presenting the range of challenges faced
by Muslim families in the United States, there was a productive discussion regarding
how the Muslim community’s response to these issues could most effectively
be structured. Important points raised by those in attendance included:
- In order to be of service consistently over the long-term, the community must identify
a champion or champions for these issues who is committed to developing a community
response.
- The relationship between the Imam and the person or group helping with social services
needs of families is crucial. It is important that the community perceive the close
working relationship between the Imam and social services coordinator as making
it safe for community members to reach out for help.
- The issue of confidentiality is seen as a potential stumbling block to the success
of these efforts, and clear standards of confidentiality on the part of those working
to address the needs in these areas must be in place, and known by the community
at large to be in place.
Project Sakinah at the 7th Annual Muslim Mental Health Conference
Project Sakinah took part in the annual Muslim Mental Health Conference held this
year in Dearborn, MI and sponsored by the Institute of Muslim Mental Health and
Michigan State University. The conference, from March 26th to March 29th,
2015, had a theme of “Faith & Healing: Moving from Trauma to Empowerment.”
Presentations were made by Muslim and Non-Muslim academics and were targeted toward
an audience of primarily Muslim professionals working in the social services fields.
Project Sakinah at the 5th Annual National Shura and In-Service Training
for Chaplains
On March 7, Project Sakinah took part in the annual Shura and
Training for the Association of Muslim Chaplains that took place at Yale University
in New Haven, CT. This emerging association is making progress toward
establishing Endorsement Councils for Chaplains, working toward the
establishment of an Islamic Seminary, and developing the contributions made by
Muslims serving as Chaplains in various kinds of institutions. Of particular
value was a presentation by Dr. Feryal Salem, the co-director of the Islamic Chaplaincy
program at the Hartford Seminary, on Models for Spiritual Care from the Tradition
of Islamic Spirituality.
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Letter to a Stranger - by
Isra
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