Deepika Padukone On Her Battle With Depression: 'Had My Mother Not Identified My Symptoms...'

Deepika Padukone is an advocate of mental health and one of the few Indian celebrities who has spoken openly about her mental health and battle with depression.

Deepika Padukone is an advocate of mental health

New Delhi: Deepika Padukone is an advocate of mental health and one of the few Indian celebrities who has spoken openly about her mental health and battle with depression. The actress is currently in Tamil Nadu’s Thiruvallur, expanding her mental health foundation Live Love Laugh’s rural community mental health program ahead of World Mental Health Day. 

Deepika spoke about the importance of caregivers while battling mental illness. In a conversation with NDTV, the actress revealed how her mother, Ujjala Padukone, was the one who realised there was something wrong and identified her symptoms. 

"Even in my personal journey, the role of the caregiver has been extremely important that's why my mother is here, that's why my sister has been so passionately part of this cause for many years and also therefore when I hear the stories of the caregivers, I understand how equally important that is as well, and the emotional well-being of the caregiver is as important as the emotional well-being of the person experiencing mental illness. In my own case for example, had my mother and the caregiver not identified my symptoms, in my moment of vulnerability, had she not had the presence of mind to tell me to or help me reach out to the professionals, I don't know what state I would be in today. Ensuring, I was regular with my treatment, with my consultations with the doctors, and of course it takes a toll on the caregiver as well and that's not something new. I think caregivers in general, whether it is mental illness or any other form of illness, it takes a toll on the caregiver, " she told NDTV. 

Deepika opened up about her battle with depression for the first time in an interview in 2015.   

On the work front, Deepika is currently working on Project K, opposite Prabhas. She will be seen in ‘Pathaan’ opposite Shah Rukh Khan. She will pair up with Hrithik Roshan for the first time in ‘Fighter’.