Dark hole of depression
Dr Kumar agrees that the stress associated with the life of a celebrity can have very strong negative repercussions. “Celebrities are always under the pressure of proving themselves and battling the insecurity of losing it all once they stop performing, which might lead to extreme stress and depression, and could push them to taking an extreme step,” he adds.
Actor Sahil Salathia admits that fame, money, travel don’t give you inner peace. “Suicide is a very sensitive topic and it’s important to keep discussions open about this to create awareness and better understanding. Life is precious but pressures are at insane levels too.”
The recent spate of celebrity suicides has brought issues of mental health to the fore and highlighted the need for raised suicide prevention awareness. “Unfortunately, people are still reluctant to discuss suicides due to the stigma attached, which also acts as a barrier to open discussion and proper treatment. One must try to understand that celebrities are, after all, normal human beings who too suffer from physical and emotional ailments. A combination of high expectations from oneself and by others, the inability to cope with media spotlight and pressure associated with fame are among the reasons for suicide committed by celebrities. Also, celebrities don’t have the luxury of leading their lives in privacy. Their every move is under constant scrutiny and hence they run the risk of succumbing to pressure. Like any other human being, celebrities can’t walk into a mental hospital without the whole world knowing about it,” shares Dr. PK Manglik, a psychiatrist.