Deepika shares mental health advice on government's 'Pariksha Pe Charcha'
What's the story
Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone recently joined the Ministry of Education's initiative, Pariksha Pe Charcha. In a teaser for the upcoming episode, scheduled to air on Wednesday at 10:00am she stressed the significance of mental health and student well-being during competitive times. She also highlighted practical stress management strategies from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's book Exam Warrior.
Mental health advice
Padukone urged students to 'express, never suppress'
During the discussion, Padukone advised students to "express, never suppress." She suggested various outlets for expression such as confiding in friends, family members, and teachers or maintaining a journal. Sharing her personal experiences with mental health issues, she revealed that she once fainted due to overwork and later realized it was depression.
Twitter Post
Check out the video!
Get ready for the much-awaited second episode of #ParikshaPeCharcha2025 featuring none other than@deepikapadukone !
— Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) February 11, 2025
In this engaging session, she opens up about the importance of mental health and student well-being, sharing valuable insights and personal experiences. She… pic.twitter.com/wzyJtW4PVc
Personal struggles
Padukone's battle with depression and suicidal thoughts
Padukone has been candid about her mental health issues, having revealed in 2015 that she had been diagnosed with depression a year earlier. In 2022 at an event, she confessed to feeling suicidal at times. "There were days when I just didn't want to wake up, I would sleep because sleep for me was an escape, I was suicidal at times," she confessed.
Expert Guidance
'Pariksha Pe Charcha' features experts guiding students
The eighth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha commenced with PM Modi engaging with students appearing for boards along with their parents, and teachers at Sunder Nursery in New Delhi. This year's edition features several episodes featuring experts who guide students through various challenges. Notable Bollywood stars like Vikrant Massey and Bhumi Pednekar are also going to join in to help students keep a positive mindset and nurture creativity in their studies.
Record participation
'Pariksha Pe Charcha' attracts over 5 crore registrations
This year's Pariksha Pe Charcha has drawn more than 5 crore registrations and that has made India's most engaging student interactions. The initiative also features episodes on sports and discipline featuring Mary Kom, Avani Lekhara, and Suhas Yathiraj, who will talk about how to set a goal, be resilient, and learn stress management. For mindfulness and inner peace, Sadhguru will offer practical techniques for mental clarity and focus.