'Deeply honored': Deepika on becoming India's first Mental Health Ambassador
What's the story
Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone has been appointed as India's first-ever Mental Health Ambassador by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The announcement was made on World Mental Health Day on Friday. Taking to social media, a "deeply honored" Padukone highlighted the importance of mental health in public health under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
Responsibilities
Actor's eagerness to strengthen India's mental health framework
As India's first Mental Health Ambassador, Padukone will work closely with the Ministry to promote access to mental health care. She wrote on Instagram, "Through my own journey and work we've done at @tlllfoundation over the past decade, I've seen how much is possible when we come together to build a mentally healthy India." "I look forward to working under the guidance of Shri. @jpnaddaofficial and the @mohfwindia to strengthen India's mental health framework further."
Personal experience
Padukone's personal journey and depression struggles
Padukone has been open about her own struggles with depression in the past. To reduce stigma around mental health, Padukone founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF) in 2015. She earlier said, "With the help of the foundation, we want to change the narrative around mental health in India. Why only Bollywood? We want everybody in influential positions in the country to speak out about these issues."
Minister's comment
Minister JP Nadda welcomes Padukone's appointment
Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare JP Nadda welcomed Padukone's appointment. He said, "The partnership with Ms. Deepika Padukone will help widely disseminate awareness about mental health issues in India, normalize discussions to reduce stigma, and highlight mental health as an integral aspect of public health." On the work front, she is currently working on Shah Rukh Khan's King, directed by Siddharth Anand.