MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS, SAY CELEBS
On World Suicide Prevention Day, actors stress on the need to normalise discussions on mental health
September 10 is observed as World Suicide Prevention Day. As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), every 40 seconds, someone loses their life to suicide. Yet, it largely remains amiss from key discussions.
Actor Divya Dutta puts it very succinctly, “Hum khamoshiyan padhna bhool gaye hain... We have become so engrossed in making ends meet that we do not stop to listen to others.”
For actor Namit Das, the fact that it has become all about I, Me, Myself is what has led to emotional isolation. “Although these gadgets have brought everyone closer, we have distanced ourselves emotionally,” he opines.
In a world where passing judgments without confirming facts is worryingly becoming the norm, people often refrain from discussing their issues. “In India, it’s easy to call someone ‘paagal’ or ‘mad’; we don’t realise what the other person is going through or how it may affect someone. We need awareness, and a lot of it,” says actor Sharad Malhotra, who admits to have been through a “terrible phase of depression” himself.
Emphasising that anyone can, at any point, develop symptoms of mental disorder, actor Jasmin Bhasin asserts,
“There is no timeline for depression. Under no circumstance should you make yourself feel you are not enough.”
Hoping for a better world, actor Akshay Oberoi says, “It’s time we talked about the notso-perfect parts of our lives and erased the stigma associated with seeking help.”
Psychiatrist Jyoti Kapoor suggests looking out for signs: “Vulnerable individuals tend to be emotional and at times, impulsive. Such people talk
If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist. Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669/ +91 9820466726; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050; Sanjivini: 011 24311918; iCall: 9152987821
about life being purposeless, they may have tried to hurt themselves in the past, looked up for methods of ending their lives, online or offline.”