How have we gotten to the point that mental health issues are taboo among Muslims? A millennium before humane treatment of the mentally ill reached Europe, Muslims were opening hospitals for them. And before opening psychiatric hospitals, Muslims were treating the mentally ill in private clinics dating back to the 8th century.

Architectural considerations given to building theses hospitals included making sure they were easily accessible to patients and their visitors, had security, air quality and water supply and access to healing greenery. They were many other measures based on Islamic values to ensure holistic healthcare for the mentally ill.

Kindness, social inclusion and health care were given to the earliest patients in Muslim psychiatric hospitals. Listen to Dr. Rania Awaad of Yaqueen Institute explain the development of mental health care in Islamic history:

Learn more about mental health: