Islah LA Mental Wellness Program

Mental health

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

The Peace Pods Mental Wellness Program is Islah LA’s new initiative that directly addresses the mental health crisis in the inner city. There is a significant increase in both children and adults suffering from severe mental trauma from the effects of the pandemic, incarceration, gang violence, poverty, domestic abuse, and more. Among children, ages 4 to 11, nearly 20% in South LA reported having difficulties with emotion/concentration/behavior over the past six months. Among these children, 37% reported definite and/or severe problems. Adults, ages 18 to 24 in SPA 6, reported the highest rates of ever seriously thinking about committing suicide. The most at-risk who struggle with mental illness and/or substance abuse often have had experiences with racial factors, childhood trauma, poverty, food insecurity, low socio-economic status, lack of family/community support and homelessness. These traumas are often cyclical and continue on through generations.

In this effort to break this cycle of communal mental health crises, Islah LA is providing twelve free sessions of therapy with licensed Muslim clinicians. Each case is evaluated at the end of the free sessions with the consideration of continuing treatment. We currently have four clinicians counseling 21 total clients in partnership with the GrateFULL Mind Center. The clinicians will use their expertise to evaluate the progress of the clients, and have already reported strong progress with several of the community members. We are also bringing in another licensed therapist to be present once a week at our K-8 school, Islah Academy. Many of our young students come from broken families and already have deep-seated trauma, and desperately need professional help. Islah LA needs assistance to help pay for the therapy sessions with the licensed clinicians so that our community can finally begin the process of healing these deep-seated mental traumas and create a better environment for our future generations.

South LA's inner city is home to some of the poorest and most underserved populations in the entire country. Mental health problems have always been present, but have become even more of a crisis since the COVID pandemic. Islah LA is uniquely placed to address these issues through its location, reputation, and track record of success. Located near the intersection of Crenshaw and Slauson, we are in the heart of South LA in a location reachable by the underserved communities. Islah has a strong track record of success, having consistently operated a food pantry almost every week for the last 5 years, as well as providing services such as transitional housing, financial assistance, and counseling. Perhaps most importantly, Islah LA is trusted by the South LA community. By offering mental health services in addition to our other services, we will help hundreds of individuals who would otherwise not receive services.

Islah LA is highly trusted by communities who have often been taken advantage of and consequently are very hesitant to trust organizations. Islah LA is the best candidate to give the necessary assistance to the South LA community because our organization was built and run by the community.
The Peace Pods Mental Wellness Program was supported through a grant for one year, showing success. We wish to continue the program but needs funds to move forward; as we have dozens of individuals who have already signed up for services. We measure impact by tracking the number of people served, by reviewing case notes (names redacted) by clinicians, and by beginning and end surveys by participants.