At just 18 years old, Shuranjeet Singh left behind the familiarity of Birmingham and stepped into the unfamiliar world of university life. The shift brought with it a mix of excitement and loneliness. For someone from a close-knit Punjabi household, the sudden lack of community and cultural connection left a void. He found himself battling anxiety, self-doubt, and isolation. It was only through the encouragement and care of friends that he gradually began to find his footing and seek support for his mental well-being.
That personal battle lit a spark within him—what about the people in his community who didn’t have access to support systems or the confidence to ask for help? What about those whose mental health challenges remained hidden behind cultural expectations, shame, or silence? These were the questions that stayed with him, long after he had settled into university life. And those questions would ultimately lead him to something much bigger than himself.
The Birth of Taraki: A Mission Rooted in Community
In response to the silent suffering he witnessed, Shuranjeet created Taraki—a grassroots movement built around one word: progress. The name “Taraki” means progress in Punjabi, and the mission reflects that meaning clearly. It is not just about addressing mental health struggles; it’s about moving forward together as a community. Taraki was launched to support Punjabi individuals who often navigate mental health in the shadows, with little support or space to speak openly.
What makes Taraki stand out is its deep commitment to working with communities rather than for them. It’s about listening first, and acting second. The movement does not parachute in with pre-set solutions. Instead, it engages directly with the lived experiences of Punjabi men, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals to create culturally relevant spaces of care, understanding, and support.
Building Safe Spaces Across the UK
One of Taraki’s most impactful initiatives has been the development of peer support spaces. These groups are not just casual gatherings—they are structured, welcoming environments where individuals feel seen and heard. Whether it’s in London, Birmingham, or Leeds, people come together to speak openly about their mental health, something that remains difficult in many Punjabi households where vulnerability is rarely discussed.
For Punjabi men, the burden of cultural expectations—being strong, stoic, and responsible—often prevents them from seeking help. For women, generational trauma and domestic pressures weigh heavily. For LGBTQ+ individuals, navigating dual identities can bring its own layer of emotional hardship. Taraki’s peer groups offer understanding and solidarity, creating a healing environment built on trust and shared experience.
These gatherings have become a lifeline for many—some attend weekly, others just once—but each story shared becomes a thread in the growing fabric of mental health empowerment.
Leading Campaigns and Creating Conversations
Taraki is not just about intimate conversations; it’s also about loud, unapologetic advocacy. From Mental Health Awareness campaigns to workshops in community centers and gurdwaras, the movement is taking the conversation where it needs to go. They’ve worked with national and international organizations, collaborated with student unions, and engaged public health bodies—all to ensure that Punjabi voices are present in broader mental health dialogues.
Taraki also produced a pioneering report on how COVID-19 affected the mental well-being of Punjabi communities. This research highlighted the unique cultural stressors faced during the pandemic, including increased isolation, loss of income, and disruption to religious and family practices. The report became a tool for advocacy and a spark for further community discussions.
Academic Roots and Global Impact
While spearheading Taraki, Shuranjeet has also continued his academic journey. Currently pursuing his doctoral studies at Oxford University, his research centers on building racially inclusive mental health systems. He is determined to ensure that public and patient involvement in research reflects the rich diversity of the UK.
Shuranjeet has become a respected voice in both academic and activist spaces. His ability to move between the grassroots and the institutional makes him uniquely effective. He consults on public health projects, writes widely on the politics of mental health, and speaks on global stages about the importance of culturally competent care.
His story is not one of theory alone—it’s lived experience meeting research, passion meeting purpose.
A Movement That Continues to Grow
Taraki isn’t slowing down. With each new workshop, campaign, or support group, it’s clear that the movement is expanding its reach and impact. Every day, they receive messages from individuals expressing gratitude, asking to get involved, or sharing how Taraki changed their perspective on mental health.
For Shuranjeet, this feedback is a reminder that the work is far from done. His goal isn’t just awareness—it’s transformation. He dreams of a time when Punjabi families openly discuss emotions at dinner tables, when seeking therapy is seen as a strength, not a weakness, and when young people grow up with the vocabulary to understand their inner world.
This work is deeply personal for him. It began with a lonely university student struggling to find peace of mind, and it has become a collective journey toward healing and empowerment.
What You Can Do
You don’t have to be a mental health professional to make a difference. Sometimes, just listening without judgment, starting a conversation at home, or checking in on a friend is a powerful first step. The movement for mental health in Punjabi communities—and beyond—needs more voices, more compassion, and more action.
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