Deepika Padukone spoke at length about depression at the launch of her new NGO. In a way, she’s hoping that peoplke in India will take the dangers of having a mental illness more seriously. Deepika is doing this as she has experienced depression herself and has come out of it a winner. She understands how difficult it is for those, who are suffering and for their loved ones as well.
Deepika Padukone on what would people think when she decided to talk about Depression
I am asked this question very often. I remember I was sitting by the poolside with my business agent and I told him that I feel like talking about my depression. He could have reacted saying, ‘Are you crazy? You are bound by contracts, nobody will sign you, who will work with you…?’ But instead, he said, ‘Ya, great, you should’. That was the friend in him talking to me. I asked my parents and they have always been extremely supportive of me. My mother noticed the first signs. So there was no real thought as to what will people think, what will they say, what will happen to me or my career…
Deepika on how depression changed her
A lot of experiences we go through in life makes you learn something from it and it makes you a better person. I am a very sensitive person and this experience has definitely made me even more sensitive. It has made me more aware of the signs and symptoms among those who might be experiencing it. You will be surprised to know how people around me, after a little bit of prodding, opened up.
Deepika on how depression can happen
I don’t think mental health or illness has anything to with any specific industry. It can happen to anybody and we all have to realise that beyond just the baggage we carry of being so and so, we are all at some point stripped down to being human beings at the end of the day. In very simple terms, it can happen to anybody. It doesn’t matter what your economic status is or what your profession is.