Mental Illness in the Islamic World 
with Amir Afkhami

Mental illness in the Islamic world is often perceived differently than in the West. Spiritual healing, jinn possession, and communal stigma shape responses to psychological distress, sometimes sidelining medical intervention. At the same time, untreated mental illness, social isolation, and identity crises can make individuals more vulnerable to radical interpretations of Islam. Contrary to popular belief, radicalization is rarely a product of poverty alone—it is often fueled by personal instability, disillusionment, and a search for purpose. How does mental illness manifest in Muslim-majority societies? Why do some individuals turn to extremist ideologies, while others do not? And how do these cultural frameworks compare to Western approaches to psychiatric care?

Monday, April 28, 2025
1:00PM Eastern Time

Amir A. Afkhami, M.D, Ph.D., is vice chair for clinical affairs and director of medical student education at George Washington University’s department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and interim medical director of psychiatric services at George Washington University Hospital. A distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and an internationally recognized expert in psychiatry, medical education, and public health policy, he advises U.S. federal agencies and Congress on mental health programs and serves on nonprofit boards like Woodley House. He holds an M.A., an M.Phil, and a Ph.D. from Yale University and an M.D. from George Washington University

The Middle East Forum, an activist think tank, deals with the Middle East, Islamism, U.S. foreign policy, and related topics, urging bold measures to protect Americans and their allies. Pursuing its goals via intellectual and operational means, the Forum recurrently has policy ideas adopted by the U.S. government.