6 Celebrities Who Have Publically Spoken About Depression

Depression is a mental illness, but it does not discriminate in terms of status, success, or fame. During this time, many celebrities have been completely candid about personal battles with depression, having helped dispel the stigma about mental illness and encouraging open discussion about mental health. Their candour reminds everyone how smart it may appear, no one is too above succeeding and being glamorous if struggling.

Let’s take a closer look at some Indian and international celebrities who have opened up about their experiences of facing depressive bouts, inspiring others to take care of their mental health.

Indian Celebrities

Deepika Padukone

Bollywood star Deepika Padukone is one of India’s most outspoken celebrities when it comes to mental health advocacy. She shocked many in 2015 with a statement in which she said, even though she is one of the most successful women in the film industry, she fought severe depression after a series of professional achievements made at the height of her career. She says she felt hollow, anxious, and isolated. She could barely get out of bed. Deepika had sought help and was undergoing treatment when she decided to highlight the issue she had faced, with her media platform.

She established the Live Love Laugh Foundation in 2015, focusing on raising mental health awareness, reducing stigma in India, and supporting people who are fighting depression and other mental illnesses. “It aims to empower people to take steps or get help when needed,” she says. “It gives information to people who may not know how or where to start.”. There were days when I didn’t want to wake up; I would just sleep because, for me, sleep was an escape. But I’m glad that I had the strength to seek help. – Deepika Padukone

Anushka Sharma

The Actress and Producer Anushka Sharma candidly spoke about how, for most of her career so far, she has been a fighter against anxiety. Her history of experiencing anxiety and panic attacks, as well as panic issues, has made her a role model to many others who suffer from similar anxiety and panic attacks. She says that there is no stigma for taking medication for mental illnesses and highlights the essence of having therapy support.

In a way, by normalizing talks about anxiety, she has helped normalize the stigma of which the condition is surrounded. And in a society where mental health is overlooked, it’s amazing how much one message can change the mental health aspect being as important as physical health, and that one’s okay to seek help when needed.

I have anxiety, and I’m treating my anxiety. I’m on medication, and I’m completely okay with it. It’s a biological problem. There shouldn’t be a stigma around it.

Anushka Sharma

Shah Rukh Khan

Though Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has not delved deeply into his mental health, he has acknowledged moments in his life where he felt the weight of emotional struggles. He then confessed in 2010 about sliding into depression after he got injured and had surgery on it. The physical blow stalled his emotional well-being, making him feel low and disaffiliated. Even though he didn’t clarify whether this diagnosis was clinical or medical, the frankness with which he spoke of feeling unwell mentally contributed to a more overarching talk about how even people with apparently impenetrable bodies can be devoured by battles of mental health.

Due to the injury and the suffering, I got into a depression mode, but now I am out of it.

Shah Rukh Khan

International Stars

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Dwayne Johnson, also known as “The Rock,” is one of Hollywood’s most identifiable actors, yet behind his tough veneer, he has struggled with depression. Johnson has been frank about what happened to him publicly-for example, about seeing his mother attempt to take her own life when he was only 15 years old and then a difficult period in his early 20s when, due to injuries, all hopes of professional football were dashed. So he said he sunk into a dark place from which he might not have emerged.

The actor himself has inspired others, mostly men, to speak about their feelings and not hide behind the fear of openness. He has been quite a great challenge against toxic masculinity in society, associated with mental illness, in the message that it is okay for men to seek help.

I reached a point where I didn’t want to do a thing or go anywhere. I was crying constantly.

Dwayne Johnson

Lady Gaga

Pop icon and much more conscious of mental health, Lady Gaga shared her experiences with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, which she had after being raped at the age of 19. In terms of mental health, she made clear how these experiences had affected her, and in using this platform, she encouraged others to gain help. She has expressed her struggles over many issues through her songs, and in 2012, she started the Born This Way Foundation, to empower youth, promote mental wellness, and create a kinder world. Her open honesty has inspired countless souls amidst her fight with mental illnesses and continues relentlessly for mental health reform and awareness.

I’ve been through depression and anxiety my entire life, and I still go through it every day.

Lady Gaga

Prince Harry

Prince Harry has been one of the leading figures of mental illness awareness campaigns, especially in the UK. For almost two decades, he had bottled up the emotional trauma associated with losing his mother at the age of 12. He went public in 2017 to reveal that he had been bottling it up. It was then that the anger and anxiety, both of which started nearly two decades back, emerged. He had gone for professional help when he was in his late twenties and hence began to heal.

Prince Harry, in conjunction with his brother Prince William and sister-in-law Kate Middleton, spearheaded the Heads Together movement, laying the foundation of open conversation on their mental health. He has, however, continued advocating for mental health, adding emphasis on emotional well-being and seeking care if the need arises.

I can safely say that losing my mum at the age of 12, and therefore shutting down all of my emotions for the last 20 years, has had a quite serious effect on not only my personal life but my work as well.

Prince Harry

One major effect of Harry was his openness about his mental health struggles first for a member of the British royal family. After making these statements, he was enthusiastic to continue in this direction by engaging with different initiatives that create awareness of mental well-being, especially among veterans and members of the military. In 2020, the prince and his wife, Meghan Markle, continued their advocacy for mental health through other media platforms, such as the Archewell Foundation.

How can someone with Depression start a Conversation with a Loved one?

Opening up conversations about depression can be difficult even with loved ones. Clinical Psychologist Ashima Mahajan guides readers on how to navigate the situation with awareness.

1. It is important that they start with someone whom they can trust and who is less/nonjudgmental. Someone who is a good listener and doesn’t invalidate a person’s feelings by saying statements like it’s just a phase or you just need to try extra.
2. Discussions around mental health are still taboo. The one suffering from depression might want to keep it private so choosing and figuring the one who can give them a safe space and keep things confidential becomes significant.
3. If they are already in therapy then they can request their therapist/ psychologist to psychoeducate their family members. A professional will be more equipped with vocabulary and can help resonate the client’s feelings better. They would also be able to clear the doubts of the family members and bust different myths.
4. If they are finding it difficult to say it loud then writing a note for the family might also help. Writing at times helps us process our thoughts and feelings better and gives clarity on what we want to say.

Conclusion

Above all, the biggest indication of breaking this stigma has been the efforts of Indian and international celebrities breaking free from their experiences of depression to dispel mental health stigma. Their stories very well echo millions, proving that mental health issues can be faced by any person irrespective of his or her status or success. By speaking out, they not only normalized the conversation around mental health but also inspired hundreds of others to seek help, open up about the struggles they face, and make their wellness a priority.

It is of great importance to note that depression and the rest of the mental health conditions are not signs of weakness but perhaps a sign of more strength in talking about it and getting help. In that regard, these celebrities will lead the way in making sure people understand that mental health matters and that talking about it is okay.