Courageous Conversations

Mental Health & Wellness

The Courageous Conversation series is The Aafiyah Project's discussion forum for sharing insights on mental health and wellness through discussion series, webinars, blog posts, social media posts etc.

Mental Health Quick Links & Resources

Muslim Wellness Foundation: https://www.muslimwellness.com/
DC Metro Area Muslim Mental Health Resource: http://www.muslimcounselors.org/
Amana Family Counseling: https://www.amanahcounseling.com/
Prince Georges County: visit the Behavioral Health Services website or call 211 to access online resources and be connected with mental health specialists (24 hrs/7days) to provide immediate assistance and referrals for long-term support.
Washington DC: visit the Department of Behavioral Health website or call 311 for assistance.
Mental Health Resources for the Black Community: via Maryland Department of health.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The hotline is staffed 24 hours-a-day for those in crisis. (The crisis line should not be used as a substitute for professional health and mental health care consultation).

Black Teens & Mental Health

(January 2021)

January 10, 2021

The Senior STARs partake in a 3-part series to discuss mental health and how it affects Black teens. Points of discussion included: anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, coping with a pandemic, social justice.

January 24, 2021

Final installation of the Courageous Conversations Black Teen series discussing mental health and how it affects teenagers.

A Holistic Approach to Mental Health & Wellness

(July 25, 2020)

Our Experts

Imaam Nadim Ali, LPC

Imaam Ali has over 30 years experience in the social services field. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor, community activist, and wellness advocate. He is a husband and father of five and is associated with Wholistic Stress Control Institute. He has a strong interest in helping people overcome the psychological and spiritual blockages that contribute to their individual and relationship dysfunctions. He conducts pre-marital and marital therapy in an effort to help couples identify and heal destructive patterns. He helps adolescents get over the hump of life called "adolescence", and helps them navigate life without drugs and alcohol.

Website URL: https://www.nadimali.com/index.php/about

A. O. Adelaja, MD

Dr. Adelaja is a Board Certified Psychiatrist in general psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, and forensic psychiatry. He has practiced psychiatry in multiple settings for over a decade, treating children as young as five years old to adults in outpatient settings, and inpatient correctional and maximum security forensic settings. He is also an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester School of Medicine in NY. His private practice involves consultations with attorneys to answer mental health related questions in legal settings and in school districts.

Contact: HopeRisingPsych@gmail.com

Islamiyat Adebohun, MS, NCC

Islamiyat is a mental health professional interested in dismantling systemic racism in education by challenging antiquated ideas, introducing equity, and providing access to Black students, particularly those of the diaspora, and other students of color in education. She embarks on her tenth year as a professional school counselor, where she’s worked in both the public (elementary and high school levels) and private school systems. Islamiyat received her Master’s of Science in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in School Counseling from the Johns Hopkins University School of Education. She currently works in Saudi Arabia at the American International School of Jeddah.

Latisha K. Ojuriye

Latisha is a nationally certified school psychologist, educator, child and parent relationship trainer, business owner, and most importantly a Muslimah Champion of change. She inspires resilience and compassion, as she brings a personal and professional perspective to her scope of practice that leaves students and families equipped to affect change in their lives as
they improve the trajectory of their children’s lives and familial relationships. Latisha’s formal education includes a Professional Diploma in School Psychology, Master of Arts in Educational Psychology, and additional graduate level training in Play Therapy and Child & Parent Relationship Therapy from New Jersey City University. She currently resides in Arizona with her husband.

Contact : SchoolPsychologist79@gmail.com

Asisat O. Ashagbe, MSN, FNP-BC

Asisat O. Ashagbe, MSN, FNP-BC, has over 14 years of experience in nursing. She has worked in mental health and substance abuse in the underserved population as a Family Nurse Practitioner and recently completing a post masters degree in psychiatric mental health nursing earlier in 2020. Asisat’s ultimate goal is to improve knowledge and facilitate better outcomes around mental health issues for minorities groups especially among African/Black communities.

Contact: Asisat1414@gmail.com

Aneesah Nadir, MSW, PhD

Dr. Nadir is a social worker with 40 years experience. She is a retired Arizona State University professor where she taught Social Work for 17 years. Dr Nadir is a co-founder, and President of the Islamic Social Services Association-USA which is in its 21st year. She is also the owner of Dr. Aneesah Nadir & Associates which provides social justice and diversity advocacy, education, training as well as pre-marital education with Before the Nikah: Marriage Preparation Course. She is currently working on a book to share what she has learned about preparing for marriage over the past 20 years!

Website URL: https://issausa.org/