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Good morning. Earlier this week, I had the privilege of launching the British Sikh Report in central London. The annual report provides a snapshot of the nation’s Sikh community by collecting data and analysing various trends. It also looks at pressing issues, and part of this year’s report was dedicated to mental health and well-being. The results showed that the Sikh community is just as affected by this as wider British society. Sikh women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with a mental health condition than Sikh men, and 77% of Sikhs find their lives stressful in some respect, with work, family responsibilities and time pressures being the main causes of such stress. The British Sikh Report also found that three-quarters of Sikhs know someone who has experienced poor mental health in the last 12 months. The most moving part of the launch was hearing from grassroots activists and people who have themselves experienced mental ill health. From the lawyer who self-harms because of her gynaecological problems, to the writer and Doctor Who fan whose father took his own life, these were stories of ordinary people who found their lives affected by circumstances beyond their own control. Poor mental health is still a taboo subject within many communities, not just amongst Sikhs. It’s often seen as a sign of weakness, something to be deeply ashamed of and kept hidden at all costs. Sadly, the impact of such an approach can be devastating, and in some instances, fatal. By failing to have an open dialogue about it, we are failing to acknowledge the challenges or even start thinking about possible solutions. Modern technology is partly responsible. Bullying and intimidation on social media is so common that public figures such as MPs are at the receiving end of a daily tirade of hate, whilst children are growing up with low self-esteem and body image issues due to constant news feeds of people living idealised and unrealistic lives. For many, this is all simply part of the landscape of life in the 21st century. However, new technologies may also be part of the solution. Chatbots are fast becoming a popular way of maintaining one’s well-being, with phone apps that provide regular upbeat and supportive messages. But these can only go so far and cannot be a substitute for talking therapies and other treatments, or even a supportive network of friends and loved ones. The human mind is both powerful and fragile. It’s a fundamental part of our existence and needs to be looked after with great care and attention. The impact of positive mental health can be far reaching, and if managed well, it can allow individuals to achieve their ambitions and help them reach their full potential in life. Guru Nanak himself said “conquer your own mind and conquer the world”, and supporting each other through the most difficult of times is certainly a good first step.