Mental Health and Sikhi – Youth Presentation by Muskaan Kaur
Created by Umeed Student Fellow Muskaan Kaur, a high schooler from Illinois, this youth-led presentation introduces mental health in a way that’s relatable and rooted in Sikhi. Originally joining through the SikhLEAD program with SALDEF, Muskaan continued working with Umeed to bring mental health awareness to her local sangat.
This beginner-friendly resource covers topics like anxiety, depression, and grief, and explores how Sikh values and practices—such as Naam Simran, Seva, and Sangat—support emotional well-being. It includes interactive activities and discussion prompts, making it perfect for Gurmat Camps, Sunday school, or family workshops.
Download and use this presentation to start open, healing conversations with youth in your community.
Zones of Regulation – by Komal Kaur
During our three-day Gurmat Camp lesson, campers engaged in an interactive exploration of emotional awareness and self-regulation through the framework of the Zones of Regulation, rooted in Sikh history and values.
​
Each session began with a feelings check-in and a "Step into the Circle" icebreaker to foster connection and reflection. Campers then revisited the four colored zones and discussed what each zone represents and what tools or actions are helpful within each state of mind.
We introduced each zone through a story from Sikh history or experience:
-
Blue Zone – Bhai Taru Singh Ji, representing calmness, sadness, or low energy, and the power of spiritual resilience.
-
Green Zone – Guru Har Krishan Sahib Ji Maharaj, symbolizing emotional balance, compassion, and service to others.
-
Yellow Zone – Bhai Joga Singh Ji, reflecting elevated emotions such as stress, frustration, or impulsivity, and the strength in returning to discipline.
-
Red Zone – Aurangzeb, used as an example of anger, control, and misuse of power, prompting critical conversations on emotional intensity and its impact.
Each story was accompanied by discussion, video clips, and guided reflection to support emotional learning. On the final day, campers connected their understanding of each zone with selected Gurbani Tuks, grounding their emotional growth in Sikhi and spiritual wisdom.
This integrated approach helped campers not only recognize their emotions but also understand how Sikh teachings offer guidance in navigating them with intention and care.