Dr. Farah Abbasi, a Pakistani-American expert in psychology, has been included in the list of American women leaders. Dr. Abbasi has recognized the benefits of faith and culture in the treatment of psychological issues.

A ceremony was held in Washington, hosted by the US Secretary of Health, called “Women on the Front Lines”, celebrating women faith leaders.

Dr. Abbasi, who works at Mercy Medical Center, said in an interview that religion and social background play an important role in the treatment of mental illnesses, and faith leaders, community leaders, and psychologists should work together.

Dr. Farha, originally from Pakistan, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Michigan State University, as well as a core faculty member of the Muslim Studies Program.

As the founding director of the Annual Muslim Mental Health Conference, Dr. Farha Abbasi oversaw its tenth iteration in 2018 at the United State Institute of Peace in Washington, DC. She also launched similar conferences in Malaysia and Jordan under the name Global Muslim Mental Health Conference. Dr. Abbasi holds the positions of managing editor of the Journal of Muslim Mental Health and Director of the Muslim Mental Health Consortium at Michigan State University.