RIPPLE - Trauma & PTSD

**RIPPLE COMMENT** According to Montreal Gazette (recognized source), on the ninth anniversary of the Quebec City mosque attack, psychiatrist Dr. Salam El-Majzoub reflected on the lasting impact of Islamophobia on Muslims' mental health. The direct cause → effect relationship is that the Quebec City mosque attack and subsequent Islamophobic incidents have led to increased trauma among Muslim communities in Canada. This traumatic experience has resulted in a higher prevalence of anxiety, depression, and PTSD among this population (El-Majzoub, 2023). The intermediate steps in this chain include the immediate aftermath of the attack, where Muslims experienced heightened fear and anxiety, followed by long-term effects such as social isolation, decreased participation in community activities, and reduced mental health-seeking behaviors. The timing of these effects is a mix of short-term (immediate aftermath) and long-term consequences. In the short term, Muslim communities experienced increased stress and anxiety immediately following the attack. However, the long-term effects have been more insidious, with Muslims reporting decreased trust in institutions, social withdrawal, and reduced mental health care utilization. The domains affected by this news event include: * Mental Health: Specifically, the prevalence of trauma-related disorders (anxiety, depression, PTSD) among Muslim communities * Social & Societal Factors: The impact on community cohesion, social participation, and intergroup relations Evidence Type: Expert opinion (psychiatrist's reflections) Uncertainty: If we consider the cultural and contextual factors that contribute to mental health outcomes, this could lead to variability in trauma responses across different Muslim communities. Depending on the specific circumstances of each incident, the effects may be more or less pronounced.