In this series of articles, we offer resources from a number of religions in dealing with suicide along with resources for prevention and meeting challenges. In this issue, we look to the support Sikhi provides for prevention and meeting challenges.
Why are faith-informed conversations needed?
Disparities in mental health outcomes for people from minority ethnic backgrounds, and the high proportion of people from such backgrounds professing a faith, means that referrals and signposting through faith communities is one way of addressing health inequalities and enabling people to gain timely access to the support they need.
Trigger points
Many people turn to their faith, or access a faith community, at times of transition, difficulty or change – like bereavement, retirement, changes in relationships, living somewhere new, or having a baby. These moments can also be trigger points for poor mental health and suicidal ideation, so a well-placed intervention, or referral to the right support, can make a big difference.
Personalised care
Good care is personalised and built upon what matters to people. You might argue that few things are more personal than where we place our faith. Any truly personalised approach to suicide prevention must take faith into account.
Benefits
People want their faith to be included in their care, and they benefit when it is. Religious or spiritual beliefs and practices are important to many people, and can be a major influence on their attitudes and behaviours. Over half of people who use mental health services find their beliefs helpful in managing their mental health issues, but often find it difficult to speak about them with health professionals.
Studies have shown that culture and faith-informed practice can improve communication and lead to better outcomes.
There are people that do seek professional help, but they still want to understand: what is happening to them? Is it based on karma? They’ve got so many questions that they want answering based from their faith… -Leader of a faith-based mental health charity
Assets
Faith communities have assets for prevention, including:
- Prominent buildings in accessible locations
- An ethos of care and compassion, including to the most marginalised
- Motivated volunteers (meaning investment goes a long way)
- Social capital and expertise through their networks
- Trust and community knowledge
Assets are the physical and non-physical resources or characteristics which help faith groups serve their communities. Such as: buildings and spaces, volunteer power, an ethos of care and service, and trust.
Sikhism
Sikhs believe there is only one God, which is genderless and eternal. They refer to God as Waheguru. Sikhs believe in rebirth and karma, meaning their religion is a way of life and that in every action, they should remember God.
The focus of Sikh life is to establish a firm relationship with God. There are many aspects of Sikh life, but the primary focus is equality and the oneness of humanity. This belief forms the basis of Sikh worship and practice.
The gurdwara, the Sikh place of worship, has an important role within the Sikh community and is open to everyone regardless of faith. Sikh practices within the religion include prayer, meditation, ceremonies, festivals and pilgrimage. The Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh scripture) is treated with great respect and honour.
The following content is intended to offer information on when, where and how Sikhs might access community-based support. It should not be treated as guidance on how to engage with the Sikhi community.
How is life, suffering, and death understood within the Sikh faith?
Life…
- is part of samsara, the cycle of birth, death and rebirth
- is God-given, containing a “divine spark” (soul, or atma), and is therefore of great value.
- centres around the pursuit of virtues, justice and righteousness, and consciousness of Waheguru (God).
- s a step on the journey to mukti, or liberation from samsara.
Suffering…
- is not directly caused by God but can be a part of growth or testing.
- can result from negative actions, or karma, either in this life or past lives.
- can be valuable in encouraging spiritual growth, virtue, or consciousness of Waheguru.
Death…
- is not an end but a step on a journey towards Waheguru.
- can be viewed with detachment, since the passing away of the physical body is temporary, and this process need not be feared.
- can be viewed with hope as part of the journey towards moksha or liberation.
Support
The following content is intended to offer information on when, where and how Sikhs might access community-based support. It should not be treated as guidance on how to engage with the Sikh community.
When do Sikhs gather / connect?
Regularly for congregational worship and fellowship (sangat), which typically takes place in the gurdwara. Different generations may attend different events in the gurdwara, for example camps for children and young people, and devotional singing.
Prayers, hymns, and readings from the Guru Granth Sahib happen at morning and evening services in the gurdwara, and many Sikhs gather at these times, but gurdwaras are open all day and can be accessed continually. They may be seen as places of sanctuary and comfort for those in distress.
Many gurdwaras hold Sunday gatherings, allowing more people to attend when free of work obligations.
Increasingly, devotional singing (Gurbani and Kirtan) is broadcast online. Some people choose to access worship this way.
Volunteering and service (seva) is a core part of the Sikh faith; many Sikhs will commit to volunteering in some capacity throughout the life of the community.
Langar is the continuous provision of free hot food, available to all, at the gurdwara. It is a key expression of Sikh values of compassion, generosity, service (seva) and equality, and may be accessed at any time.
Significant celebration times include the Birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (November) and Vaisakhi (April), as well as Bandi Chor (Diwali) in November, which often mean going to the gurdwara.
Where do Sikhs gather / connect?
Larger gurdwaras are often prominent buildings in central urban settings, but gurdwaras vary in terms of architectural style and location.
Langar halls are where hot food is served and eaten in the gurdwara. They can be meeting places for Sikhs, and often include large kitchens where people volunteer to prepare food and clean.
Some larger gurdwaras offer wider programs of activity including education, outreach, advice, guidance and advocacy, youth work and medical/wellbeing services. This activity tends to be concentrated in urban areas and according to where there is available resource.
If a Sikh wanted to access faith-based wellbeing support, how and where might they do this?
Gurdwaras, and the broader programmes they offer, may be a first point of contact for someone in the community. They may be accessed at any time by those seeking help, refuge or support. As such, anybody involved in the running or upkeep of the gurdwara, including security and administrative roles, may have a role to play in noticing and supporting people in distress.
There is no formal priesthood in the Sikh faith, though some community members hold leadership roles. Granthis (ceremonial readers of the Guru Granth Sahib), or a gurdwara leader, may be consulted, alongside other members of the wider community of faith, however ceremonial leaders will most likely do not have formal training in offering mental health support.
Larger gurdwaras may have dedicated structures of support around mental health and wellbeing, and access to counsellors and professionals trained in these areas.
There are many charities serving the Sikh community, including those dedicated to mental health and wellbeing. There are also Sikh-based counselling services, offering tailored, faith-based support for those that need it, including peer support.
Are there dedicated organisations offering faith-informed support?
Lifeline is a multifaith support body. Excellent explanatory (Easyread) material from Lifeline about Myths and Misconceptions on Suicide is found here:
https://toolkit.lifeline.org.au/topics/suicide/suicide-stigmas-myths-and-misconceptions
Sikh Helpline are a trusted point of contact for those dealing with a range of issues, including cultural and social taboos, with their 24/7 free professional and confidential telephone counselling and email inquiry service.
https://www.sikhhelpline.com/
Good Thinking Network feature resources to support mental health developed in collaboration with different faith traditions.
https://www.good-thinking.uk/faith-and-belief-communities/sikhi
Taraki provides mental health support to Punjabi communities, helping to tackle stigma and navigating health systems, through media, training, peer support, research and policy.
https://www.taraki.co.uk/
Journey of Compassion are an organisation focused on offering support, advice and community throughout life’s journeys and struggles, providing faith-informed advice and guidance, retreats, courses and contemplation sessions.
https://journeyofcompassion.com/
Sehhat is a non–profit organisation, built from lived experiences to challenge the current mindset on mental health and suicide for the Sikh and Punjabi communities, providing bilingual educational resources, workshops, toolboxes and more. Sehhat has spent six years supporting the community across the United Kingdom with their core project, Sikh Forgiveness.
https://sehhat.co.uk/sikh-forgiveness/
Sikhi and Bereavement: Bereavement is that which occurs after the loss of a loved one. The Good Thinking Network has a guide on Sikhi and Bereavement.
https://www.good-thinking.uk/bereavement/sikhi-and-bereavement
Sikh Guidance on the purpose of life, suicide and voluntary assisted dying (sometimes called euthanasia)
https://www.sikhnet.com/news/sikh-view-about-euthanasia-and-suicide
World Suicide Prevention Day – Tuesday 10th September 2024
Changing the Narrative
