Suicide Postvention as Prevention in the South Florida Muslim Community

Body of Abstract: Despite a religious prohibition on suicide and the stigma associated with it, a recent study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that American Muslims are twice as likely to report a past suicide attempt compared to other religious and non-religious groups, including atheists and agnostics. The reasons for this increased risk are multifaceted, likely including factors such as Islamophobia, discrimination, and marginalization. The proportion of US Muslim respondents who reported suicide attempts is larger than that of Muslim-majority communities. Unlike other studies, self-reported religiosity was not a protective factor against suicide attempts (Awaad et al., 2021).

These statistics are reflected in the South Florida Muslim community, where an alarming number of Muslims are not just attempting but dying by suicide. Employees at the Bism Rabbik Foundation, the Muslim Cemetery in Hialeah, Florida, reported that 20% of all burials over the past year were due to suicide. All but one were young adult and middle-aged men, from various racial and ethnic backgrounds.

To combat this distressing trend, the South Florida Muslim Federation, in conjunction with Riverside Trauma Center (Massachusetts), developed a comprehensive plan for suicide prevention throughout the greater South Florida Muslim community. Emphasis was on a systematic approach that spanned the lifespan and included religious input as well as clinical support. Before any programming was initiated, it was important to provide the community with a comprehensive, culturally appropriate website offering regional and general mental health support, and targeted national suicide prevention resources. This website also linked to a provider directory of over 40 Muslim therapists with a wide array of clinical specialties.

As part of the comprehensive programming planned throughout September, Suicide Awareness Month, the local Imam Council was first trained in suicide prevention. The Imams were then provided with talking points to weave into their khutbas (Friday sermons) delivered throughout the month. This training was followed by a series of four Suicide Prevention Sessions across the South Florida Muslim community, tailored to specific demographics: middle-aged men and women, teens and their caregivers, and seniors. Each session featured clinical experts and religious scholars who acted as cultural brokers for the community.

These sessions were groundbreaking for a community where conversations about mental health are often taboo. Despite much trepidation, the sessions were well-received, with the sessions for teens and middle-aged women drawing over 170 participants who engaged in lively discussions and Q&A sessions. In contrast, the sessions for middle-aged men and seniors had lower attendance, with about 50 participants in total. To reach a broader audience, the session for middle-aged men was live streamed on various social media platforms.

The overall programming was well received in the community, especially for broaching a topic often considered taboo and off-limits. The community plans to keep the suicide prevention conversation active through several initiatives, including a thriving WhatsApp "Mental Health" channel and a Suicide Prevention Coalition comprising stakeholders and community members.
This proposed workshop will educate participants on the idiosyncrasies of conducting suicide prevention in a culturally competent context, focusing on postvention in a Muslim community that has experienced a high level of suicide loss and is generally not open to conversations about suicide awareness or prevention. Special attention will be given to addressing this work comprehensively, allowing attendees to learn practical strategies for developing a supportive community network to provide ongoing support to individuals in crisis. Participants will be trained to recognize warning signs and risk factors of suicidal behavior, utilize effective communication techniques, and understand the importance of integrating religious and cultural perspectives. The workshop aims to foster the development of new peer leaders and support groups, ensuring a network of ongoing readiness. Additionally, attendees will receive a blueprint, including materials and resources, to replicate these efforts in their respective communities.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify at least five common barriers specific in the Muslim community in doing suicide postvention work
• Identify at least three comprehensive postvention strategies specific to the Muslim community, across various ethnic and racial backgrounds.
• Describe at least five approaches in which to engage religious scholarly community in the clinical conversation around suicide prevention and postvention