Nafs

About Nafs

Welcome to the Nafs podcast! Nafs is a non-academic, non-research organization whose mission is to spark a larger conversation where Muslims actively contribute to creating a socially, culturally, and religiously informed vocabulary for their own mental health experiences. We imagine a world where the notion of ‘mental health’ fits seamlessly into everyday Muslim life and where Muslims are sincere, deep, respectful, and authentic thinkers about their own mental health and that of others. Mental health strikes at the core of what it means to be human, influenced by our biological, social, cultural, and religious lived experiences— just to name a few. We believe in narratives and lived experiences. Podcasting isn't all that we do, check out our website nafscentral.com to see our other projects, including published journals, articles, community building, and collaboration with universities and colleges! Disclaimer: We acknowledge that each individual has their own relationship to Islam, and we in no way are trying to push our version of it or tell you how to be Muslim. We are merely trying to open the conversation of mental health to Muslims in general, regardless of ethnicity, gender, religiosity, age, or any other positionality that affects your experience of Islam. Nafs is not a professional mental health service and does not provide medical, psychological, or psychiatric advice of any kind. The information included is not a substitute for professional advice or services that diagnose or treat medical conditions. Please talk to a medical professional if you need mental health advice or treatment.

Publisher

Manaeha Rao

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

27 Feb 2022

Latest episode

27 Feb 2022

Latest episodes

5 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   27 Feb 2022

   Imams, Communities, and Supporting Mental Health…with Imam Rafiq Mahdi

   Manaeha interviews Imam Rafiq Mahdi, the current director of outreach at ICNA relief USA, on his relationship to mental health as a resource in his community. How is mental health being talked about in the American Muslim religious leadership? How do you think the Muslim community views its relationships with its Imams? How was mental health addressed in the past compared to now? What would you want members of your own community or the Muslim community in general to know in terms of seeking you out for help about mental health or just about mental health in general?

2. 

   27 Feb 2022

   Investigating the Role of Spirituality in Mental Health…with Shehroze Akhter

   Manaeha and Shehroze share their research findings on the relationship between spirituality and mental health treatment. They answer the questions, what is spirituality? How can we distinguish spirituality from religion? Are there limitations to intermingling spirituality and mental health treatment?

3. 

   27 Feb 2022

   A Parent’s Perspective on Mental Health…with Dr. Irram Rao

   Manaeha interviews Dr. Irram Rao (her mom ö) on what it's like to seek mental health resources for her kids. She also talks about her own mental health in an incredibly honest and vulnerable way. Some questions discussed, what does the term ‘mental health’ mean when you hear it? How do you take care of your own mental health? How do you navigate the mental health world as a parent for yourself or for your kids? How do you support your kids when they seem to be going through mental health challenges? Do you have open conversations about mental health in your family? How does being Muslim impact your relationship to mental health?

4. 

   27 Feb 2022

   The Vision for Nafs…with Taimur Kouser

   In this episode, Founder of Nafs, Taimur Kouser, and the Head of Digital Growth, Manaeha Rao, discuss the values and aspirations of the organization. What does the mental health landscape look like right now for American Muslims? What does Nafs add to this picture? Why emphasize "cultural change"? How helpful is research and stats on mental health?

5. 

   27 Feb 2022

   Welcome to the Nafs Podcast!

   Join Manaeha and Taimur in an overview of the topics and conversations covered in season 1. Feel free to listen to the episodes in any order you like and share your favorites with family and friends!

Contact Nafs

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.