"Some of the children we see have lost loved ones or have grown up in a home which has been directly affected," said Rachel Abedi. She is a child and adult psychotherapist providing support to some of the 15 to 20 children the service sees per week. The provision helps these children cope with the trauma related not just to Grenfell fire but potentially other tragic events as well, highlighting the long-term psychological scars left by such disasters and the importance of culturally sensitive care.
"Seeing images of the fire is really triggering, and not just of the Grenfell fire, but other similar fires. We do expect to be in demand," Ms Abedi said. This statement underscores the ongoing psychological impact of the Grenfell disaster, as the anniversary and related inquiries bring about vivid imagery of the tragedy, prompting distress among survivors and the community.
A report earlier this year by the Cambridge-based Woolf Institute found that mental health provision is failing Muslims because the NHS has 'a lack of specialised services that are culturally and religiously appropriate'. The need for culturally sensitive mental health services is critical, especially in communities affected by traumatic events like Grenfell, where understanding of religious and cultural backgrounds plays a vital role in recovery.
"Many families say it is a relief to speak to us because we're on the same page," Ms Abedi said. This reflects the sense of community and understanding that the Al-Manaar Islamic Centre provides, making it a safe space for those grieving and needing support, which is particularly important in the context of a tragedy that deeply affected the local Muslim community.
Collection
[
|
...
]