MYH was founded in August 2001 by Mohammed Sadiq Mamdani and Mustafa Suleyman, who were both 18 at the time, in response to the social problems endured by Muslim youth in the UK.

In 2005 they launched its "Doing a Runner" campaign to raise awareness within the community of the many young Muslims who run away from home, and may at various times in their life find themselves vulnerable, alone and homeless.

[6] In 2019, BBC One soap opera, EastEnders worked with the Muslim Youth Helpline on a storyline about a teen exploring his newfound faith as he finds peace after prison.

Speaking about the storyline, Executive Producer Jon Sen highlighted his thrill to be working with MYH to challenge preconceptions and prejudices about the role of faith in young people's lives.

[9] In April 2021, British Muslim teenager, Zaheid Ali, 13, died after jumping off Tower Bridge into the River Thames which received national news coverage.