Sikh Tenets and Experiences That Relate to Mental Health and Well-Being

Sikhism originated in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent around the end of the fifteenth century CE. Sikhism is a monotheistic faith with 20–30 million followers worldwide. Sikhs believe in equality, service to others, hard work, and earning an honest living. The aim of this chapter on Sikhism is to introduce various tenets of Sikhism for a basic understanding of its theology as it pertains to a clinical context. This chapter attempts to provide a descriptive framework for understanding the range of attitudes, behaviors, values, and core beliefs of most observant Sikhs and shares insights into factors associated with mental health and well-being in Sikhs.