In 2015, Deepika Padukone made headlines by openly discussing her struggles with depression and mental health, a move that was somewhat surprising in a country where celebrities rarely shared their vulnerabilities. In 2018, she reflected on her decision to speak out, expressing no regrets. She stated that she never considered how her disclosure would affect her career or public image when she released a mental health survey conducted by the Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF), an organization she established in 2015 to promote mental health awareness in India.

The 2018 survey, which polled 3,500 respondents across eight Indian cities, revealed that 47% of participants used derogatory terms like “retard” to describe individuals with mental illnesses, and 60% believed that those with mental health issues should be segregated from the rest of society.

Deepika Padukone’s goal, through her foundation, was to change the prevailing narrative on mental health in India and not limit her efforts to the Bollywood industry alone. She wanted influential figures from all walks of life in India to speak up about mental health issues.

Watch Deepika Padukone open up about her mental health struggles o National television here:

When asked whether she was concerned about how her audience and Bollywood peers would perceive her when she initially discussed her depression, Deepika Padukone revealed that she hadn’t thought about it. She emphasized that her primary focus was on addressing the stigma associated with mental health. She believed that if sharing her story could save even one life, it would be worthwhile. She expressed satisfaction in seeing the positive impact her efforts had on thousands of people’s lives.

Deepika Padukone acknowledged that despite the progress made, there was still a long way to go in combating the stigma surrounding mental health in India. She stressed the importance of encouraging people to seek help and support.

Regarding whether Hollywood was more open about discussing mental health compared to Bollywood, Deepika Padukone felt that it depended on individual comfort levels and the authenticity of one’s connection to the cause. She emphasized the empowering nature of sharing one’s mental health journey and how it could relieve a person’s burden.

Deepika Padukone said at the time, “We’re assuming that there are other people within my fraternity who have experienced it; I think a few who have (experienced it), they’ve come out and shared their journey and experience as well. Having said that, I do believe people who are in a position to influence others’ lives in a positive way should use that power.”

She continued, “I also feel it’s important to associate with a cause that means something to you because that’s when it is organic, that’s when it is genuine. This is something I’ve experienced; I felt, which is why I talk about it. I don’t think it’s just about people coming out and speaking. And it’s not just about people in the film industry.”

Since then, Deepika Padukone has consistently used her platform to advocate for mental health awareness and promote healthy discussions on coping mechanisms. She played a significant role in reducing the stigma associated with mental illness.

In 2020, she received the Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum in Davos for her work in addressing the stigma around mental health. During her acceptance speech, she highlighted the lessons she had learned from her own struggles with mental illness and the importance of hope.

In 2023, on Mental Health Day, Deepika Padukone engaged in a conversation about the evolving discourse on mental health in the workplace, self-care for leaders, personal well-being routines, and the goal of building a mentally healthier India alongside Kiran Mazumdar and Narayanan Ananth.