When you’re on the road, you have signs everywhere. Signs when there’s a speed trap ahead, or when there’s construction ahead. It’s easy to know what to do when it’s written in bright, bold letters and icons. It leaves no sign for confusion.

But mental health doesn’t work like that. There’s no clear signs about the roads that lie in your head.

As everything happens in our head, it’s hard to discern reality from our imagination. Hence, this is why we should maintain a good support system so they can help us while we fight our own battles.

Let us reflect on this Qur’an verse where our Lord reminds us that

“…we will certainly test you….”

(Al-Baqarah, 2:155)

This surah teaches us that no one is exempted from the trials and tribulations of living in this dunya, not even the prophets. For instance, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) went through tremendous challenges from an emotional standpoint during the Year of Sorrow.

Let’s retrace his footsteps through the seerah, on how he handled his mental health during the turbulent times in Mind Your Mind: The Prophet’s (s.a.w.) Approach to Mental Health, with Dr Rania Awaad.