Empowering Young Voices: Muslim Aid’s Creative Competition for Mental Health and Hope

In a world where young Muslims face increasing mental health challenges, from Islamophobia to academic pressures, finding safe spaces for expression and healing is more important than ever. Muslim Aid’s latest initiative as part of the run-up to our 40th anniversary in November, the ‘The World We Want to See’ creative competition, offers a powerful platform for young people to share their hopes, struggles, and visions for a better future through art and writing. 

But this competition is more than just an artistic outlet, it’s a lifeline for a generation grappling with isolation, discrimination, and unmet mental health needs. 

Recent findings from the Muslim Mind Collaborative highlight alarming trends in mental health within UK Muslim communities: 

• Muslims from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds are more susceptible to anxiety disorders and psychosis.
• Islamophobic incidents have surged by 365% since October 2023, with many Muslims linking their mental health struggles to experiences of discrimination.
• Young Muslims are three times more likely to confide in friends than seek professional help, despite high rates of suicidal thoughts (19% among Muslim youth).
• Barriers like stigma, lack of culturally sensitive services, and long waiting lists prevent many from accessing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). 

The pressure to succeed academically, combined with the trauma of racism and social exclusion, creates a perfect storm for mental health struggles. Yet, too often, these voices go unheard. 

Muslim Aid’s ‘The World We Want to See’ competition is a bold step toward change. By encouraging young people to express their dreams and frustrations through art, poetry, and storytelling, the initiative serves as both therapy and activism. 

Many young Muslims feel ignored by society. This competition ensures their ideas are seen and valued.Creative expression has been proven to reduce stress, build resilience, and improve emotional health.By sharing their visions for a more inclusive world, young people challenge stereotypes and inspire empathy.When a child draws or writes about the world they wish to see, they begin to believe in its possibility. That belief is a step toward real, lasting change. 

Studies show that creative activities: 

• Help young people process trauma
• Build confidence and self-worth
• Foster a sense of agency and hope 

"When I Paint My Struggles, I Feel Lighter": Youth Voices Shaping the Future 

In a heartfelt discussion on Salam Britain, Muslim Aid’s CEO Khalid Javid and two young participants, Alayna (8) and Zaavier(14), spoke about the transformative power of the ‘The World We Want to See’ competition. 

Khalid said: 

“This isn’tjust about art or storytelling. It’s about understanding our youth and empowering them. This is the next generation, their ideas are unpolluted by the biases we carry, if we’re not going to empower them now, who will shape tomorrow?” 

Zaavier, a teen activist known for his Ramadan Kid initiatives, shared: 

“Working with Muslim Aid showed me that what we do is significant and it matters, it’s not tiny, it’s working.” 

Alaynasaid: 

"I love that we’re helping the world. When I draw, I imagine it better than it is now." 

The segment also highlighted Muslim Aid’s partnership with the Muslim Mind Collaborative to provide free mental health workshops in Islamic schools, a critical response to the trauma young Muslims face from Islamophobia and global crises. 

As Khalid noted: 

"Children today see horrors like in Gaza on TikTok. We must give them tools to process, heal, and believe they’re part of the solution." 

If you know a child (aged 8-16) with a vision for a better world, encourage them to submit their artwork or writing to Muslim Aid’s competition. 

Learn more & submit entries here: https://mentalhealth.muslimaid.org/creative-competition