Deepika Padukone Appointed As India's First Mental Health Ambassador, Says 'Deeply Honoured'

Bollywood star Deepika Padukone has been appointed as India’s first-ever Mental Health Ambassador by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The founder of LiveLoveLaugh will work with the Ministry to

promote access to mental health care. After her meeting with Minister JP Nadda, she took to social media to share a statement.Deepika Padukone On Becoming First Ever Mental Health Ambassador"On World Mental Health Day, I am deeply honoured to be appointed as the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s first-ever Mental Health Ambassador," she wrote and added, "Led by our Hon. Prime Minister @narendramodi, our nation has taken meaningful steps to place mental health at the heart of public health."The actress, who has been quite vocal about her struggle with depression, further said, "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."

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As India’s first Mental Health Ambassador, Deepika will work with the Health Ministry to spread awareness, reduce stigma, and more. She will encourage people to seek help, support preventive efforts, and promote resources like Tele MANAS, aiming for equal access to mental health support across the country.Meanwhile, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare JP Nadda, said in a statement, "The partnership with Ms Deepika Padukone will help widely disseminate awareness about mental health issues in India, normalise discussions to reduce stigma, and highlight mental health as an integral aspect of public health."