Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone recently participated in the second episode of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025, where she addressed students on the importance of mental health and emotional well-being. The episode was streamed live across multiple platforms, including the Ministry of Education’s YouTube channel, MyGov India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s channel, and Doordarshan networks.
During the discussion, Deepika opened up about her personal battle with depression, shedding light on the invisible nature of mental health struggles. Reflecting on her journey through different phases of life—transitioning from school to sports, then modeling, and eventually acting—she recounted a pivotal moment in 2014 when she suddenly fainted. It was only later that she realized she was dealing with depression.
“The thing about depression is that it’s invisible—you can’t always see it. There might be people around us battling anxiety or depression, yet we may never know because, on the outside, they seem happy and normal,” she shared.
The actress revealed that she endured the condition in silence for a long time while living alone in Mumbai. It was her mother who first noticed the warning signs and encouraged her to seek professional help.
“When my mother came to see me in Mumbai, on the day she was leaving for Bangalore, I suddenly broke down. My family asked me all sorts of questions about my work, but all I could say was, ‘I don’t know. I just feel helpless and hopeless. Mujhe jeena hi nahi hai (I don’t want to live).’ Thankfully, my mother recognized the signs and suggested I see a psychologist,” Deepika recalled.
She emphasized the prevailing stigma around mental health in India, which often discourages open conversations on the subject. However, she urged students to talk about their emotions and seek help when needed. “As soon as I started speaking about it, I felt lighter. Anxiety, stress, and depression can affect anyone, and talking about it truly eases the burden,” she stated.
Deepika Padukone, who has been a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation in 2015 to promote mental well-being and support individuals struggling with depression and anxiety.
Her participation in Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025 underscores the increasing focus on mental health, particularly among students, as they navigate academic pressures and personal challenges. Her candid discussion served as an inspiration for many young minds, encouraging them to prioritize their emotional well-being and seek support without hesitation.
