In November 2024, Hadja Bah, a third-year in nursing, decided it was time to use her 10 free therapy sessions through Ohio State’s Counseling and Consultation Services.

Four sessions in, the absence of Black Muslim therapists left her feeling misunderstood, which quickly inspired her to create a space for change.

Officially launching in February, the Black-founded Muslim Mental Health Coalition aims to support students of all backgrounds in their mental health challenges, all while specifically emphasizing aspects of Islamic wellness to help mitigate stigma across campus. 

Bah said the group’s advisor, Dr. Hoda Hassan, specializes in psychiatry at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Since the organization is so new, Bah said Hassan has been formally introduced to the club and hopes to become involved with regular events in the future. 

As president of MMHC, Bah said one of her goals is to foster an inclusive space where membership is not restricted based on religion, and all are welcome to attend — regardless of their background.

“I want to be able to provide for Muslims, but also for non-Muslims because I feel like Islam has so many mental health resources,” Bah said. “I wouldn’t want to be selfish and just keep it to the Muslim community when it’s available for everyone.”

Bah said she had initial doubts about starting MMHC due to the organization’s level of specificity, but Vice President Yasmin Ejeh, a third-year in nursing, assured her it was necessary for the Black Muslim student community to have this resource while coping with worldly events.

“We just needed a place that creates inclusion and explores the mental health challenges, topics and stigmas that go on with it — especially for Black Muslims,” Ejeh said. “We were literally talking about it in December, and now we’re a whole org. It’s amazing.”

This semester, the organization has hosted a “Kickoff” event Feb. 19 and a “Ramadan Gauntlet” Feb.27, providing students with ways to get involved with Ramadan — the Muslim holy month, marked by daily fasting from dawn to sunset and ending with the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr. 

“[In the first meeting], we were talking about what our org really is about, like your typical introduction,” Ejeh said. “Our second event, which was a week later, was about Ramadan, with stations and having fun before Ramadan started.”

Members of the organization, such as Abdikadir Mursal, a third-year in computer and information science, attested to the difficulties many minority groups face when searching for resources specific to their identity on campus. 

”With being Black, African and coming from a Muslim household, it amplified the problem and makes it even worse when you feel like there [aren’t] really any resources out there for you,” Mursal said.

Salmah Mohammed, a third-year in nursing and MMHC treasurer, said she faced a similar problem in seeking out mental health resources tailored to her personally. 

“I feel like a lot of campus mental health services aren’t culturally or religiously competent,” Mohammed said. “Things like faith, our racial identity or the stigma around mental health in our community just don’t get addressed.“ 

By transforming their struggles into action, MMHC members hope to make a difference not only within the wellness spaces on campus, but also within the broader Muslim community. 

“We just want to foster that sense of community on campus where students feel like they have a family, and can come together and have open conversations about anything,” Mohammed said. “And just know they’re not alone.” 

Mohammed said she believes some individuals may feel afraid to talk about their feelings due to fears of acceptance and the overall stigma surrounding emotional health.

“A lot of people fear being judged, whether it's from friends, family or even the broader Muslim or Black community,” Mohammed said. “They just feel like it’s shameful to be struggling mentally.” 

Despite the organization’s recent emergence, Bah said MMHC is already planning to host more community-building and outreach events, all with the goal of fostering inclusion and security for students who need an on-campus safe space to turn to. 

“Our goal is to leave a legacy behind where we’re being more proactive than reactive to situations,” Bah said. “Now, there's a space for people to come and talk.”

More information about the organization can be found on its official Instagram page. 

This story was published in collaboration with The Lantern as part of the 2025 Black Voices special edition.