Ali Fazal bats for mental health awareness, urges people to open up

While Covid-19 brought several issues to the fore, actor Ali Fazal wonders why it took a pandemic for people to acknowledge the severe lack of mental health awareness and facilities in the country.

After years of silence and shame, India’s awareness regarding mental health is now on the rise. The Mirzapur actor says, “It’s high time we speak up about mental pressures and help spread awareness about mental health in India, a country where people still grapple with stigma. They ignore the importance of mental health in their lives, thus letting mental illnesses fester in them, without seeking professional help.”

Fazal believes that if we speak up now, many lives can be saved in this hour of need. The impact of uncertainty coupled with fear due to the pandemic, especially in terms of people’s mental health, is a major concern for the world.

The 34-year-old explains,

“So many people suffer through mental illnesses and don’t even recognise it due to the lack of awareness. If we don’t speak up now, it will continue to worsen and cause irrevocable harm… Given the constant stress and fear of Covid-19 and lockdowns, it is harder to cope for almost everybody. So I’d like to urge everyone to take help if they need it and just sincerely be kind to one another.”

Children, too, suffer from various disorders such as depression or anxiety, and Fazal adds its imperative today to build awareness and encourage others to seek professional help through our empathy and support in our society.