Deepika Padukone to join hands with Indian Psychiatric Society to promote mental health

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: One of Bollywood's biggest actresses Deepika Padukone has inspired the world after she came out with her struggle with depression last year.

This brave revelation has not only encouraged people to voice their problems, but has also made a strong statement which tells people that depression is not something to be taken lightly.

Now, in another inspiring move, Deepika will now represent the Indian Psychiatric Society as its brand ambassador to spread awareness about mental health and help cull the stigma attached to its ailments.

The Society, founded in 1947, today said it recently entered into a partnership with Deepika's Bengaluru-based non-profit foundation, the Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF), and they would jointly develop outreach programmes to highlight the urgent mental health challenges that India faces.

"Mental health of Indian citizens is a large and growing challenge for the country and the more resources we have to combat this issue, the better the chances that those who need help can secure the support they need.

"The Live Love Laugh Foundation and Indian Psychiatric Society have a shared vision to make mental health a priority for the government and for society at large. I am very pleased to support the activities of the Indian Psychiatric Society in my role as their brand ambassador," Deepika said.

She has offered her support on "pro bono basis", the foundation quoted her as saying in a statement.

"We needed a person who could advocate the issues associated with mental health especially the stigma, and we are happy that Deepika has agreed to become our brand ambassador, which would help take the Society's mission forward, i.e., to spread awareness and reduce societal stigma," Indian Psychiatric Society President Dr G Prasad Rao told PTI.

India is home to the largest number of mental health patients in the world with at least 50 million Indians estimated to be undergoing depression at any one point in time, Rao claimed.

(With PTI inputs)