Despite all the discussions and open conversations about mental health, there is still a lot of stigma around it. Constant awareness initiatives and programmers can only help so much. Patients of anxiety, depression or any other mental issue still find it tough to come to terms with the fact they may behave a mental disorder and need professional help.
According to a study by the World Health Organisation, 1 in 4 people in the world are affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point of their lives. Currently, around 450 million people have a mental health issue.
In an effort to increase the awareness about mental health and illness, many celebrities in Indian and around the world have opened up about their personal issues with mental health in order to normalise these issues and remove the stigma around it.
Speaking up, and showing emotions and vulnerability to the world is not been easy. But in doing so, these celebrities have helped others break the stigma and seek help.
Deepika Padukone
Deepika Padukone is the first mainstream celebrity in our country to open up about her personal struggle with depression. Deepika also opened up about how her family and constant medical help from her psychiatrist Dr. Anna Chandy helped her come out of her dark phase. Deepika now runs The Live Love Laugh Foundation along with Anna to create awareness about mental health. At a fundraising dinner for Youth Anxiety Center in New York last month, the actor used the opportunity to speak about mental illness.
Lady Gaga
In an inverview with an iternation fashion magazine, Lady Gaga candidly spoke about her PTSD and how it cripped her life. Gaga said she was sexually assaulted at the age of 19. Being vocal about her struggle with mental health, she also started the Born This Way foundation to educate the world on mental health and encourage people to speak out on the issues they face.
Anushka Sharma
Anushka Sharma is another Indian actress who opened up about her mental health struggles. . In 2015, the successful star revealed in a magazine interview, “I have anxiety. And I’m treating my anxiety. I’m on medication for my anxiety. Why am I saying this? Because it’s a completely normal thing. It’s a biological problem.” That it is a normal and important necessity is apparent as Anushka asks, “If you have stomach pain, won’t you go to the doctor?”
Alia Bhatt
With back to back hits, it is safe to say Alia Bhatt is at the peak of her career, for now. But things aren’t always so smooth for the actress. The actress revealed she has had bouts of anxiety and has said she feels like crying for no reason at all in a recent interview.
If you ask us, we’d point out it takes a lot of courage to be a celebrity and open about your mental health struggles. It’s commendable. We hope this removes the stigma around mental health, and people finally start receiving the treatment they should if they suffer from a disorder.
Stay tuned for more updates.