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Mental health is positioned as the cure-all for society s discontents, from pandemics to terrorism. But psychology and psychiatry are not apolitical, and neither are Muslims. This book unpacks where the politics of the psy-disciplines and the politics of Muslims overlaps, demonstrating how psychological theories and practices serve State interests and perpetuate inequality especially racism and Islamophobia. Viewing the psy-disciplines from the margins, this book illustrates how these necessarily serve the State in the production of loyal, low-risk and productive citizens, offering a modern discussion of three paradigms underlying the psy-disciplines: neoliberalism, security and the politics of mental health.
Tarek Younis is Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Middlesex University.
List of contents
Chapter 1: Introduction: Friendly Ears
Chapter 2: Islamophobia And The Problem Of Muslim Thought
Chapter 3: Politics And Psychology: The Only Revolution Is Within
Chapter 4: The Politics Of Muslim Mental Health: Legitimacy Through Suffering
Chapter 5:. Security And Extremism: Securing The Muslim Mind
Chapter 6: Neoliberalism And Austerity: Bolstering The Muslim Mind
Chapter 7: Conclusion: The Decolonial Somewhere Between Justice And Peace
About the author
Dr Tarek Younis is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Middlesex University. He researches and writes on Islamophobia, racism in mental health, the securitisation of clinical settings and the politics of psychology. He teaches on the impact of culture, religion, globalization and security policies on mental health. As a registered psychologist, he primarily works with individuals who have experienced racism, Islamophobia and state violence.
Summary
This book presents how psychology is part of the problem of racism and inequality. With a unique look at the growing dehumanisation of Muslims across the Global North, the author provides a contemporary overview of how psychology and mental health ultimately services to produce and manage low-risk and productive citizens.
Report
Edward Said wrote that the problematisation of Islam by the Western order began with the Crusades and has never gone away. Infused with the spirit of enquiry of Franz Fanon, this a penetrating and resonant account of how the Western state seeks to pin down and fix the Muslim mind on security grounds. Tarek highlights the ethically dubious role being played by mental health professionals, supposedly apolitical and neutral, in this endeavour- contributing to a climate of deteriorating civil liberties. Essential reading!
Derek Summerfield 20221102
