Today mental health illness is challenge for India. day by day mental health issues are increasing. Mental health issues are still taboo and there is stigma attached to it. However there are personalities who came forward and spoke about mental health and raised awareness about mental health and its importance. Today on National Youth Day we are sharing stories of some warriors who talked about mental health.
Virat Kohali:
Kohli is an Indian international cricketer and former captain of the Indian national team. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time in limited-overs cricket. Many people have recognized Virat Kohli’s contribution to the development of a culture of physical fitness in Indian cricket. But the former captain of India has also been a fervent supporter of mental health. Kohli recently discussed the value of compartmentalising, being in touch with one’s inner self, and maintaining a balance in an interview with the Indian Express.
“For an athlete, the sport can bring the best out of you as a player but at the same time, the amount of pressure that you are constantly under, can affect your mental health negatively. It is definitely a serious issue and as much as we try to be strong at all times, it can tear you apart,” said Virat Kohali.
He added: “I personally have experienced times when even in a room full of people who support and love me, I felt alone, and I am sure that this is a feeling that a lot of people can relate to. So, take out time for yourself and reconnect with your core self. If you lose that connection, it wouldn’t take very long for other things to crumble around you.”
Deepika Padukon
Deepika Padukone is an Indian actress who works in Hindi films. her accolades include three Filmfare Awards. Deepika Padukone came out about her mental illness in 2015 and revealed that she battled depression a year before that and sought help. Actress Deepika Padukone, is an active advocate of mental health awareness.
She openly speak about mental health, she also shared her mental illness journey. in an interview she described her battle with mental health issues. she said,
“What I was experiencing was this hollow, empty feeling in my stomach. I would break into a sweat. I would suddenly get into these panic phases where I felt I needed to get out and gasp for breath. And I would just cry – out of nowhere, break down and cry.”
After personally witnessing mental health issue and struggle she decided to raise awareness about mental health. Her foundation, Live Love Laugh aims to help those struggling with their mental health.
Shaheen Bhatt
Shaheen Bhatt is an Indian writer and the sister of the famous Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt. She has never shied away from discussing her struggles with mental illness. to promote mental health awareness she published a book “I’ve Never Been (Un) Happier”. in this book she shared her struggle and healing story. this book is must read for everyone. here are few quotes from her book.
1 “depression can occur because of biological factors such as genetic predispositions, hormonal changes (including menopause, childbirth or thyroid problems) and differences in biochemistry (an imbalance of naturally occurring substances called neurotransmitters in the brain and spinal cord). In other cases, depression is caused by psychological factors, severe life stressors, substance abuse and certain medical conditions that affect the way your brain regulates your moods.”
2 “you can’t be depressed if there’s nothing wrong or if you have no real problems. (Ironically, people who believe this also believe that those with ‘real problems’ don’t have the time or luxury to suffer from depression.)”
3 “Take off the mask. You aren’t happy? Fine, you aren’t happy. One day you will be. And then you’ll be sad again. Accept that and stop wasting your energy chasing something that doesn’t exist. You can’t spend your life feeling bad about feeling bad.”
Ira Khan
Ira Khan is an Indian film and theatre director. She is daughter of the Bollywood celebrity Aamir Khan. In 2020, Ira Khan spoke on Instagram stating she was recovering from depression. on the video she said
“Hi, I’m depressed. I have been for more than four years now. I’ve been to a doctor and I’m clinically depressed. I’m doing much better now. For over a year now, I wanted to do something for mental health, but I wasn’t sure what to do. I have decided to take you on a journey – my journey – and see what happens. Hopefully, we’ll get to know ourselves and understand mental illness slightly better. I’ve thought of so many things to say.”
Here is her Instagram post :
View this post on Instagram
Anushka Sharma
Anushka Sharma is an Indian actress and former producer who works in Hindi films. She has received several awards, including a Filmfare Award. the actress has opened up about taking medication for her anxiety. while ago She tweeted quote on twitter as she is also fighting with anxiety.
When asked about the quote on her twitter account Anushka said,
“I have anxiety. And I m treating my anxiety. I m on medication for my anxiety. Why am I saying this? Because it s a completely normal thing. It s a biological problem. In my family there have been cases of depression. More and more people should talk openly about it. There is nothing shameful about it or something to hide. If you had a constant stomach pain, wouldn’t you go to the doctor? It s that simple. I want to make this my mission, to take any shame out of this, to educate people about this.’ (as said to Vogue magazine)
Varun Dhavan
Varun Dhawan is an Indian actor who works in Hindi films. he has been featured in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list since 2014. In the film Badlapur, Varun Dhawan plays the major part as a character of a psychotic, depressed son and brother, seeking ruthless retribution. Varun had to dive deep into the character for the job, and as a result, he even experienced depression while filming the picture. Varun Dhawan was a little taken aback by this unexpected turn of events. In Varun’s words,
“I was depressed. I was not clinically declared depressed but I was heading there. I was very sad to a certain degree. I don’t want to use the term ‘depression’ loosely because it’s a serious illness. It definitely affected my mental health. I was prescribed and did see a Doctor for it as well.”
Manisha Koirala
Manisha Koirala One of Bollywood’s most high profile cancer survivors is Manisha Koirala. Manisha’s cancer was diagnosed after she fell unconscious in 2012 and was admitted in hospital. After some tests, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She underwent surgery in the following month and battled the ailment with remarkable strength. She moved to New York to begin treatment and spent a couple of years fighting the disease, triumphantly coming out on top. She also faced mental health illness. in an interview she said,
“I’m not a pessimist. But there have been times when I’ve broken down and done all those horrible things you do when you’re depressed. I still go through it. And while I give in to my sorrow and cry like hell, and the whole drama that the world is crashing down is going on in my head, there’s also an awareness that this too shall pass. All that hurt me deeply could have broken someone else but only made me stronger.”
Tahira Kashyap
Tahira Kashyap is an Indian Writer, Professor, and Theatre Director. She is the wife of well known Bollywood Actor, Ayushmann Khurrana. she was diagnosed with “stage 0” breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy procedure. she also shared her depression struggle and how she won this battle in an interview she said,
“I never treated my body, mind and soul as one entity. I always thought physical health was important, and mental toh kuch hota hi nahin hai. So, I exercised a lot. But I think [the cancer] was a manifestation of the negativity that I had been harbouring. Had I gone to a doctor, I would have been declared clinically depressed. But I chose to cry every night instead of visiting one. I was living a dual life. My husband was shooting; I would spend hours at night crying, and put up the front of a happy person in the morning so that I didn’t look like a loser before my children, who were aged two and four then. It was only after I practised Buddhist chanting, and focused on my mental health that things changed. In a way, I’m glad that [I was diagnosed with cancer] at a time when I was strong enough to deal with it.”
Laxmi Agarwal
Laxmi Agarwal is an Indian acid attack survivor, a campaigner for rights of acid attack victims, and a TV host. She was attacked in 2005 in New Delhi at the age of 15. We cannot even imagine the pain and suffering that an acid survivor goes through. it is not just about physical pain. it is more about mental and emotional suffering. Laxmi did not give up. she stood up and became the symbol of courage, hope and strength. 
She has shown tremendous strength and courage to stand against the crowd of teasers. Her story is an inspiration for all as it is difficult to fight for the rights and Laxmi has done this effectively.
“People always say that inner beauty and hard work is what is important but, in reality, few people go beyond one’s physical features. More than a person’s capability, qualification, and hard work, employers focus on the looks of an individual,” says Laxmi Agarwal,
