By now, we live in a world where mental health is no longer a taboo topic. People speak openly about it and are unafraid of asking for help. While the wave of awareness is being spread across the globe, the number of people suffering from mental health issues are still alarmingly high and on the rise.

10 October 2019 is World Mental Health Day.

This year, the World Health organisation (WHO) focuses this day on suicide prevention. Every 40 seconds, someone loses their life to suicide and India has the HIGHEST number of suicide among youths. Many measures are being taken to raise awareness on the issues and celebrities are also doing their part in advocating for mental health.

Here are some celebrities who have openly discussed about their mental health in an brave attempt to destigmatize the issue:

Deepika Padukone

“Not everyone ends up taking their life but there’s a lot of people who are fighting with themselves every morning” – Deepika Padukone on depression

Anushka Sharma

“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” – Anushka Sharma on anxiety.

Vidya Balan

“Vidya is obsessed about cleanliness. Her home is an epitome of cleanliness. Even if she spots little dust somewhere, she starts cleaning it herself. In fact, Vidya is also very organised and likes things to be kept in their places” – a close source revealed about Vidya Balan’s Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Manisha Koirala

“I think most celebrities lead lonely lives. They may project their life as being wonderful and amazing, but deep inside, they are aware that this phase of life is transient. They all know that they are as good or bad as their last project. And, that is not a comfortable space to be in. But, as celebrities, we have learnt that this as an inherent part of our lives and how to deal with it. Actually, why just celebrities? I think all human beings are, at some level, alone. We are born like that and we die like that. So, it’s important not to get too attached to anything” – Manisha Koirala on battling depression

Shah Rukh Khan

“I am a different person in my films; I am very vocal and expressive in them, but in my personal life I am a very weird person. I face difficulty when I have to express my innermost feelings. I am very shy, quiet and reclusive as an individual.

I feel so much healthy and refreshed from within — due to the injury and the suffering I had got into a depression mode but now I am out of it. I feel happy and boosted with energy,” – King Khan on overcoming depression after a shoulder injury.

If you are currently going through a tough path in life and would like to speak to somebody, here are a few helplines you can reach out to:

MALAYSIA

BeFrienders KL (24 Hours) 03 7956 8145

SINGAPORE

Institute of Mental health (24 Hours) 6389 2222  

INDIA (Tamil Nadu)

Sneha Suicide Prevention Helpline (24 hours)  044 -2464000

State suicide prevention helpline (24 hours) 104

SRILANKA

National Mental Health Helpline 1926

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