Frequently Asked Questions

• ​I want to join your group psychosocial support program. How do I sign up?

  Navigate to Join Our Program and fill in the electronic form. We will email you back.

• What happens after I submit the Contact form?

  You will soon receive an email explaining that you need to complete a Triage Assessment. The Triage Assessment will take place with a qualified mental health practitioner over Zoom and will take approximately 60 minutes.

• What is a Triage Assessment?

  The purpose of this assessment is for us to gain an overall understanding of your current situation and make sure that we are the best service to support you.

  You will meet privately with a qualified mental health professional via Zoom who will ask you a range of questions to assess your current needs and establish an overall picture of your current mental well-being. We also use this process to get to know you, which helps us to allocate you into groups of like-minded ExMuslims we think you may relate to.

  Please note, we will also ask to verify your identity during the Triage Assessment.

• ​How will you verify my identity?

  In your Triage Assessment, you will be asked to provide a scanned copy of at least one formal identification document which includes your full name, such as a passport. Alternatively, the Triage Officer can verify your ID on camera during the assessment.

• I don’t want to provide my identification. Can I still access the service?

  Due to the high-risk nature of our work, unfortunately we cannot allow you to access the service if we have not verified your ID.

  Given that all our clients live in Muslim-majority countries, we cannot take any risks when it comes to protecting their safety. For this reason, we need to know exactly who is accessing the service. All clients are also required to sign a privacy and confidentiality waiver before starting the program.

• Do I have to use my real name and/or show my face?

  You will need to provide your full name and show your face during your private Triage Assessment. However, during group sessions, it is up to you how much or how little you choose to share. We do not require clients to use their real name or turn their camera on during group sessions – we leave this choice to them. You must, however, have your microphone on. The sessions do require clients to actively participate.

• What actually happens during the sessions?

  Each session will be delivered by a Group Sessions Facilitator and involves a range of content delivery, discussion, skills-based activities, and group interaction. They will take place on Zoom. The sessions are designed to be interactive and inspire fruitful conversations. Sometimes we will provide you with resources to complete certain activities during the sessions. Other times, we may focus more on learning and practicing new skills.

• ​I’m under 18 years old. Can I still access the service?

  Yes, but please note this may change in the future. We are currently trialling youth-only groups (members are all under 18) and will reassess our position on this in the future.

• ​Do I have to pay to access the program?

  No! The entire program is completely free of charge.

  We are powered by the generous support of our donors.

• ​I don’t live in a Muslim majority country. Can I still access the service?

  Unfortunately, we only provide support to ExMuslims living in Muslim-majority countries. However, we may be willing to make exceptions under unique circumstances (for example, we will accept clients living in India and Nigeria).

  For ExMuslims in other countries looking for support, we recommend contacting Recovering from Religion.

• What can you help me with?

  • Developing important skills that can help you to manage and navigate issues in your life such as difficult emotions, stress and relationships
  • Facilitating a safe space for you to meet and interact with other ExMuslims living in Muslim-majority countries
  • Teaching you skills that can assist you to manage and look after your mental health
  • Referring you to a therapy service (if required)

• ​Can you help me with emergency, medical, employment, asylum and/or legal matters?

  No, unfortunately not.

  We are only able to provide our eight session group psychosocial support program.

• ​I remember you used to offer individual therapy. Do you still offer individual therapy?

  No, we are no longer a one-on-one therapy service.

  If you would like to access individual therapy support, please contact us and we can recommend some therapists.

• ​Can you help me escape from my country?

  As much as we wish we could do this, unfortunately this is not the kind of service we provide.

  If you need support to escape, we recommend contacting Atheist Alliance and/or Rainbow Railroad if you identify as LGBT.

• ​How can I support Free Hearts Free Minds?

  If you have the means, we would be infinitely grateful if you could support us on Patreon.

• I want to establish a partnership with Free Hearts Free Minds. Who can I contact?

  Please send us an email via [email protected].