World Mental Health Day 2022: Bollywood Celebrities Who Opened About Their Mental Health

No matter how progressive we claim to be, mental health is still a big taboo in our culture, and we seldom discuss it freely.

Celebrities who opened up about their mental health problems (Image Source: Getty)

Source : getty

New Delhi: Both mental and physical health are critical components of total health. Our emotional, psychological, and social well-being all contribute to our mental health. It has an impact on how we think, feel, and act. It also influences how we deal with stress, interact with people, and make good decisions. Mental health is essential throughout our life, from childhood and adolescence to maturity. 

No matter how progressive we claim to be, mental health is still a big taboo in our culture, and we seldom discuss it freely. However, Bollywood celebrities have begun to open up about it in public forums in an attempt to persuade people that being mentally ill for a short length of time is completely normal and that it is okay to discuss it openly. They also discuss how they overcame adversity with the help of family and friends, and they encourage us that while things may not appear to be going well all of the time, we must battle and conquer adversity in order to live happy lives.

Here are some Bollywood celebrities who have spoken about their mental health battles and shared their tales of recovery.

1. Shraddha Kapoor:

Shraddha Kapoor initially admitted to having anxiety in 2018 while celebrating the success of her film Stree. Speaking to the media, she said that she had anxiety issues for the preceding three to four years and that she was coping with it positively every day. The 32-year-old performer had also once stated that following the release of Aashiqui 2 in 2013, she endured discomfort that had no physiological explanation.

She asserts emphatically that anxiety is not a battle. Instead of battling it, one has to embrace it and accept it as a part of oneself, and approach it with love. That makes a significant impact. Whether a person experiences anxiety or not, they should always know who they are and what they stand for. She has been battling anxiety for a long time and has progressed from not understanding what it was to embracing and dealing with it.

2. Ileana D'Cruz:

In an interview, the actress discussed her battle with Body Dysmorphic Disorder, anxiety, and depression, as well as how continual care and love from family and friends had helped her through those difficult times. She used to sit in the corner and cry for hours, she had once claimed. In previous interviews with the media, she spoke openly about her past and how she firmly believes that people should have themselves checked if they are not feeling alright and not be afraid to do so.

Ileana has discussed mental health concerns on several occasions. In one of her previous interviews with a news outlet, she discussed the stigmas associated with mental health. According to reports, the actress went to see a therapist because she needed to. She says that is not forbidden to seek assistance.  It is not improper to cry, to sob, or to simply lose it every now and again. It's all fine. It's natural, it's human. Ileana went on to say that we need to mainstream talking about a variety of topics, not only mental health. She believes that if we opened up and simply listened to others, we would be far more sensitive and healthy.

3. Hrithik Roshan:

Actor Hrithik Roshan encouraged people to realise that mental diseases should not be stigmatised; they are serious problems that require assistance. He stated that he had gone through ups and downs, as well as sadness and perplexity. He claims that it is a common occurrence and that we should all talk about it because we all have ups and downs in our life. They are significant since they both contribute to our evolution. When we are going through a hard patch, it is critical to keep our heads clear. Sometimes the brain takes control and feeds one with undesired thoughts that are not connected with one's life objectives, and this is when we need an objective point of view.

4. Sanjay Dutt:

Sanjay Dutt has faced more difficulties than most Bollywood stars. He said that his imprisonment caused him to become depressed after losing his mother and wife to cancer, followed by suspicions of his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai explosions. According to reports, the actor was unable to sleep.

Recently, in 2020, the 63-year-old actor was also diagnosed with stage 3 cancer which indeed shattered him. He is said to have cried for hours thinking about his wife and kids. He seemed to have seen his life flash in front of his eyes, and then he finally decided not to be weak. He told the doctor that he would not be weak, not lose hair or vomit and he used to cycle for one hour after every chemotherapy. 

But, as they say, God gives the hardest fights to his strongest troops, and he had stated on his children's birthday that he is delighted to have won the battle and be able to give them the best present he could - the family's health and well-being.

5. Deepika Padukone:

In a television interview, the stunning beauty not only revealed that she suffered from depression, but she also went on to build a mental health foundation- Live Love Laugh Foundation to assist others who are going through the same experience. She is one of those actresses who has been quite vocal about mental health and has always encouraged people to talk about it. When she was suffering, she had initially assumed it was stress, so she attempted to divert herself by focusing on work and surrounding herself with others, which worked for a time, but the nagging feeling persisted. Her breathing was shallow, she struggled with focus, and she frequently broke down.

She claimed that she no longer wanted to live and that she does not want anybody else to go through what she has gone through. She had previously stated that her condition had taught her many things, including patience and, most importantly, that there is Hope.

6. Honey Singh:

Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh said that he had suffered from bipolar disorder and struggled with alcoholism as well. It was a particularly awful phase. Many people were envious of him wondering how such a little guy could accomplish so much. He also told a news outlet that there were additional problems. He admitted to being an alcoholic and being unable to sleep. He, too, was overworked. And the situation gradually got worse. It took him four months to realise there was something wrong with him. 

He opened up about it after recovering and taking a break from his work for about eighteen months, and explained how it feels, thereby leading to better understanding and less of a stigma.

Shama Sikandar, who also had a bipolar attack tells that it was as if she came back from death and felt like rebirth after she had conquered mental health.

7.  Karan Johar:

In an interview, popular filmmaker Karan Johar spoke honestly about his battle with depression. He publicly stated that he had a lot of unresolved issues that he needed to address so that others in similar circumstances could go on with their lives. He added that there was a time in his life when he was really depressed and felt he was going to die. He stated that he was experiencing anxiety and had seen a psychologist as a consequence, which led him to realise that he had some internal difficulties to deal with, which had accumulated to the point where it resulted in worry.

He stated that his doctor informed him that even if he believes he has thick skin and that it doesn't matter, he is repressing those things inside that occasionally come out. Karan Johar claimed that following that, he began talking to others about it and felt better. Karan explained that he was feeling better since he had begun communicating with his close friends and family.

8. Rubina Dilaik:

The winner of Bigg Boss 14, in one of the show's segments, discussed dealing with anxiety and stress, suicidal thoughts, and anger difficulties. The Shakti actress spoke out about it all on national television, blaming these factors for her failing relationship. She discussed her connections with her parents and stated that they were not ideal. She admitted to having anger issues and suicidal inclinations, which she blamed for the relationship's demise while exposing some heartbreaking incidents from her personal life. 

When asked about the stigma associated with mental health, Rubina stated that she couldn't figure out what was wrong with her because no one really talked about it. She explained that sadness made her feel not just lonely and irritated, but also questioned herself. Rubina went on to say that she had to do some research online to figure out what was going on with her. Things improved for her once she discovered yoga and meditation.