New Muslim Youth Council to address gaps in mental health services in KW

Some marginalized and newcomer youth in Kitchener Waterloo say they are struggling to find a safe space where they can come together to share their thoughts, feelings and experiences. 

A newly formed Muslim Youth Council is aiming to address some of the barriers Muslim youth in the region face. The council will research and collect data from young community members who may be dealing with racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia.

From there the group will look at better ways to improve access to mental health services for marginalized and youth new to the the region.

Fatima Awan, the Youth Outreach & Engagement Lead at the Coaltion said "there was not a lot of space in Waterloo Region where the Muslim Youth could go and get supported." 

Finding support

The council was formed in March as part of the Coalition of Muslim Women KW's Youth Leaders 4 Change program. 

Awan said it was important to form the council with a variety of members who exhibit strong leadership skills as well as members who can share and build on lived experiences.

"We also made sure that we were having an equal representation of the different minorities in our Muslim community," said Awan.

"So we have people from the Somalian background, the Pakistani background, Turkish background, Arab background." 

Out of a pool of about 30 applicants, eight high school and university students from the Muslim community ranging in age from 14 to 25 were chosen to form the council.

Awan says along with the mental health needs assessment, the council will also learn the basics of how to be a great leader in the community. 

"As time comes, these kids might have an opportunity to host events and through our leadership mentorship work on their leadership skills."

A safe place

Awan says she's already heard from Muslim youth in the community about some of the other initiatives to stem from the Youth Leaders 4 Change program.

"The number one feedback that we've heard is that they feel they have a safe space to go to and talk about social issues that they really care about," said Awan.

"Many times at school or at community centres or at their workplace, they don't feel safe. They don't feel equal when they're speaking on issues that affect them the most."

Funding received from the Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation, the Ted and Andrea Witzel Family Fund and the Astley Family Foundation will help the coalition run though 2022.

At the end of the project, the youth council will present a report to community stakeholders, and system leaders and also share recommendations for improvement.

But Awan says she hopes to see a new council form next year. 

"We need to have more spaces that is facilitating toward minority youth and Muslim youth."