Description of Lajna Mental Health Committee

The Lajna Mental Health Committee (LMHC) is a resource for Lajna Members. The LMHC may provide temporary assistance, guidance, resources, or referrals based on the Lajna Member’s need or request/concern. The LMHC operates under the supervision of the Lajna National Khidmat-e-Khalq Secretary or National Sihat-e-Jismani Secretary. The LMHC may collaborate with the Umoor-e-Ama department to carry out their procedures and aid members through the National Sadr Lajna Ima’illah USA. The LMHC may use the Ahmadi Medical Association and the Ahmadi Lawyer Association as resources during their procedures and efforts to aid members through the National Secretary Khidmat-e-Khalq or National Sihat-e-Jismani Secretary. Consent of the Lajna Member seeking aid is necessary prior to referral or consultation. 

General confidentiality is guaranteed for Lajna Members seeking the aid from the LMHC. 

The check-ins, recommendations, and referrals vary depending on the expertise and style of the Lajna Mental Health Committee Member, the qualities of the Lajna Member seeking aid, and the particular issues the Lajna Member is experiencing. In order for the aid provided by the LMHC members to be most successful, the Lajna Member may have to work on things during the communications with the committee member and at home.

*Disclaimers*

*Any referrals made by Lajna Mental Health Committee Members are not within, under, or the responsibility of the LMHC, the Lajna Ima’illah USA or the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA*

*If a LMHC Member proceeds to provide counseling, therapy, or behavioral services themselves to the Lajna Member requesting aid, that is under their personal jurisdiction. The counseling, therapy, or behavioral service provided by the Lajna Mental Committee Member does not fall within, under, or the responsibility of the LMHC, Lajna Ima’illah USA, Umoor-e-Ama, or Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA*

The LMHC will maintain confidentiality, however, in extreme situations and in the following circumstances, the LMHC may disclose information as necessary without consent or authorization. If such a situation arises, the LMHC Member will make every effort to fully discuss it with the Lajna Member before taking any action, and will limit disclosure to what is necessary.  The circumstances where this may occur are as follows:

Child Abuse

Whenever the LMHC has knowledge of or observes a child they know or reasonably suspect has been a victim of abuse and/or neglect (including physical injury, substantial threat of harm, mental or emotional injury, or any kind of sexual contact or conduct), the LMHC may immediately report this incident to Umoor-e-Ama, Jama'at President and/or Tarbiyyat Secretary, law enforcement, and/or welfare departments. Once a report is filed, the LMHC may be required to provide additional information.

Adult and Domestic Abuse

If the LMHC has observed, has knowledge of, or reasonably suspects an incident that reasonably appears to be physical abuse, abandonment, abduction, isolation, financial abuse, or neglect of an elder or dependent adult, the LMHC Member may report the known or suspected abuse immediately to the Umoor-e-Ama, Jama’at President and/or Tarbiyyat Secretary, local ombudsman, and/or local law enforcement agency.

Serious Threat to Health or Safety

If a Lajna Member communicates a serious threat of physical violence against an identifiable victim, the LMHC member may be obligated to communicate that information to the Umoor-e-Ama, Jama’at President and/or Tarbiyyat Secretary, potential victim and/or the police. 

If a Lajna member seriously threatens to harm themselves, the LMHC may be obligated to seek hospitalization for them, or contact family members or others who can help provide protection. 

If the LMHC member has reasonable cause to believe that the Lajna Member is in such a condition as to be dangerous to themselves or others, the LMHC may release relevant information as necessary to prevent the threatened danger.

Judicial or Administrative Proceedings

If a government agency is requesting information, the LMHC may be required to provide it to them. If a Lajna Member files a complaint or lawsuit against the LMHC, the LMHC may disclose relevant information regarding that Lajna Member in order to defend the LMHC. 

Minors and Parents  

Lajna Members who are under 18 years of age and are not emancipated, the LMHC may allow parents to examine their child's records. However, as stated above, general confidentiality is guaranteed to all Lajna members by the LMHC. 

Electronic Communications

Check-ins and/or referrals involve the use of electronic communications to enable LMHC Members to connect with individuals using interactive video and audio communications.

Electronic communications as used by the LMHC includes the practice of check-ins, recommendations, referrals, and transfer of data.