Since 1 in 4 persons experience a mental illness at some point in their lives, there has been an increase in mental awareness across the nation as time goes on. Based on global mental health statistics, 970 million across the world struggle with some mental health condition or drug abuse. Researchers estimate that 8 million fatalities, or 14.3% of all deaths, are attributed to mental illness. It should be mentioned that these numbers understate about the true severity because it is difficult to reach every population section.
With such a growing impact on mental health condition, have you ever wondered if your idols or favourite celebrities have struggled with such mental health issues? If they have, how are they responding to it? Let’s view seven of these inspirational celebrities in India who may give us some valuable lessons to learn from them.
Anushka Sharma
The NH-10 actress often portrayed in films with a bright personality has been struggling with her anxiety issues for a long time. She has been extremely vocal about her mental health concerns and has stated that she is currently on anxiety medications. She aims to educate and destigmatize mental health issues among people and encourage open talk about mental health.
According to Anushka’s statements, her anxiety is a biological problem as there have been cases of depression in her family. She further encouraged people to not consider mental health condition needs as shameful but rather like constant stomach pain. If you are constantly experiencing stomach aches, wouldn’t you go to the doctor or use resources to deal with the pain? If tending to physical needs such as stomach aches is not a shameful act, what is wrong with tending to mental health needs?
Hrithik Roshan
During the War shooting, the Greek God of Bollywood revealed the trauma he faced during his childhood. At the age of 48, the actor told in the Interview with Indian Express that he suffered from stammering issues as a child. This caused him to be bullied at school and to not have any friends.
Hrithik recalled those days to be extremely difficult as he would come home only to cry. To make matters worse, later in life the doctor advised Hrithik to not pursue acting as he may face problems while dancing due to his spinal problems.
On shooting the highest-grossing film in 2019, he opened up about being on the verge of depression. He had thought about dying, at the same time trying to achieve perfection during his shooting schedules. For 3-4 months, he took part in rigorous training while dealing with injuries, when he decided it was time to change. He started to realize it was ok to relax and bring positive changes into his life for longevity.
Shruti Haasan
Shruti Haasan in an interview with Pinkvilla opened up about her mental health struggles and gave some encouraging advice to the general public. Suffering from anxiety disorder and being in therapy since a young age; she stated how to learnt to deal with her inner war through music and writing. Due to her busy schedule, not even her family members were able to realize her anxiety symptoms. Despite all her struggles, Shruti encourages people to not ‘keep calm and carry on’ but rather to talk about the issues and normalize the situation.
Jasmin Bhasin
Bigg Boss 14 contestant Jasmin Bhasin, had stated that after her appearance she had to seek mental help due to vicious online threats. Initially, she struggled mentally when she had to face rejection in multiple auditions causing her to lose her self-esteem. Throughout all her struggles she decided not to give up but rather to use self-love as the solution to her battles.
She also reinstates the importance of mental health awareness when Nawazuddin Siddiqui conveyed his thoughts about depression being an urban concept. He asserts that residents of rural communities like villages are not despondent. If he had gone and told he was depressed in such areas he would be slapped and told to carry on with his life.
In response to his statement, Bhasin says that depression is a universal condition that happens to everyone. She used her used mother who had depression and didn’t know her anxious breathing was due to depression as an example of how people don’t realize they are mentally ill. She further stated concepts such as depression are often taboo that requires to be spoken about more often.
Virat Kohli
Mental health issues are not distinct from the field the sports as well. In an interview with a popular sports channel, the former cricket captain conveyed his battle with mental health condition and the coping mechanisms he used. He stated that for the first time in ten years, he didn’t touch the bat for a month. Having to deal with pressures of the work stress and taking a break from such activities has given him time to reflect on himself. He started to realize the importance of talking about his mental struggles with others and about how it isn’t always possible to fake intensity when your body tells you it can’t.
Honey Singh
Moving towards the music industry, rapper Honey went on a derailed career break due to his mental health problems. He often seems to be vocal regarding his mental health issues from his alcohol addiction to bipolar disorder. In one of his interviews, he recalled days and nights when he prayed for death to be closer. At the time he had to deal with mood swings and frightening emotions that he felt he had no control over. But with the help of medication, rehab and support from his fans he felt that he was able to deal with anything that came his way.
Parveen Babi
Moving forward in time, medical professionals initially identified the renowned Bollywood performer, who passed away on January 20, 2005, as having paranoid schizophrenia in the beginning of the 1980s. In “Parveen Babi: A Life,” written by Karishma Upadhyay, one may read about Parveen Babi’s bright points and low points as she deals with the effects of her illness. She was bravely able to give stunning performances in her acting career with strength, talent. Charisma despite having to deal with the impacts of the condition in her life.
