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Abstract

Stigma toward mental illness is a major barrier to individuals experiencing
psychological distress within Muslim communities. Cultural stigma, often misinterpreted as
religious doctrine, has become deeply rooted and influences community perceptions,
contributing to low awareness and limited understanding of the importance of mental health.


Therefore, this study aims to identify common forms of stigma and explore Islamic value-
based peer support models for strengthening resilience. The method used was Systematic


Literature Review (SLR) guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and
Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 framework. A comprehensive literature search was
conducted through Google Scholar and PubMed. The inclusion criteria were scholarly articles
published between 2015 and 2025, leading to 16 studies meeting the selection requirements.
The results showed that familial stigma, community attitudes, and misattributed spiritual
beliefs are the main obstacles to seeking professional help. However, integrating
psychological approaches with faith-based frameworks improved awareness, reduced
stigma, and enhanced individual resilience. This study is expected to inform the development
of more effective and culturally sensitive peer support programs in Muslim communities.

Keywords

peer support mental health muslim communities resilience Systematic Literature Review

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Copyright (c) 2025 Sharifah Nadirah Syed Zainal Ariff

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