“Mental Health Should Be Embraced, Not Shamed,” Deepika Padukone On Becoming Government Of India’s First Mental Health Ambassador

Deepika Padukone has officially become the Government of India’s first Mental Health Ambassador, a milestone that reflects how far India’s dialogue around mental health has come, and how much further it

needs to go.Speaking about this honour, Deepika said that mental health is something that should be embraced rather than being shamed. "My own journey taught me that it is not a sign of weakness to seek help, but a sign of strength," she said in a recent interview.

Over the past years, Deepika has used her platform to share her personal experience with depression and has also built awareness around the same with her Live Love Laugh Foundation. This appointment works in the direction of reinforcing her mission to make mental healthcare more accessible, compassionate and above all, stigma-free. The senior psychologist and executive director at Cadabams Hospitals, Neha Cadabam, speaks on this and mentions how the stigma is created because one of the biggest challenges in our society still remains that people are unable to understand the difference between sadness and depression. “Normal sadness is temporary and usually tied to specific events, while depression lasts for weeks or months and affects various aspects of life,” says Cadabam. “Depression often comes with changes in sleep, appetite, energy, and motivation, signs that should never be ignored.”Read more: Why Your Shoulder Ache Could Be More Than Just Poor Posture. Here’s What It MeansSo, the question arises when should someone actually seek help? According to Cadabam, “Help should be sought when emotional or psychological difficulties persist and begin to affect everyday life.” If one is facing sadness, anxiety or feelings of hopelessness that last more than two weeks, it is time to seek professional help. In addition to this, she says that seeking help early is crucial as timely intervention allows for better management and prevents symptoms from worsening further. Neha Cadabam also highlights the importance of creating a ritual of small daily practices that build long-term resilience. On this, she suggests, “Mindfulness, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and maintaining social connections help individuals manage stress and maintain emotional balance.” She also encourages people to find creative outlets like painting and journaling which would eventually help them find joy. Neha calls them “simple yet powerful tools for emotional clarity.”

With Deepika leading the national conversation, and experts like Cadabam guiding the way, India is taking a vital step toward normalizing mental health, where asking for help becomes as natural as seeking a doctor for physical pain.Read more: Optical Illusion Eye Test: Only 4% of People Can Read the Hidden Word in This Image. Are You One of Them?