Deepika Padukone's 7 key points on depression: 'It's okay to break down and cry'

By Nichola

on February 22, 2018

Discussing ‘Making mental wellness a boardroom priority' at the World Congress on Information Technology and Nasscom India Leadership Forum, Deepika Padukone made some very pertinent points about depression…

1: “You are not alone. One in three or five persons feels depression. It’s going to be the next big epidemic to hit our country,” she pointed out. She stressed on the need for people to come out and speak about mental illness.

2: Success and failure are a part of life and everybody fails at some point in life. “I am at a stage in my life where I have been through everything,” she maintained, adding that she was not afraid to fail.

3: She suggested that all IT companies have counsellors and psychiatrists to help those employees who could be plagued by depression. Referring to the stigma that is still attached to mental illness, she pointed out that employers should also ensure that those employees suffering from the condition are not treated differently.

4: Alluding to her own battle with depression, she maintained, “It’s okay to have moments of weakness, okay to break down and okay to cry. It’s okay if you don’t look great all the time.” She also revealed that when she was suffering from depression, “There was no motivation and drive. I was not able to think straight. You feel a burden. You feel clouded and don’t feel like yourself.”

5: She pointed out that while technology can help create awareness on depression, the personal touch and feel is important to help the person. “Personal feel and touch, physical proximity, one-on-one is important which technology in some way is taking away from us.” This problem was compounded by social media, which though a blessing in many ways, is now used immoderately. It also compelled people to sometimes present a glorified version of their life, she added.

6: She revealed that frequent sessions with counsellors, medication, lifestyle changes, spacing the work, adequate sleep and the right kind of food helped her overcome the problem.

7: Referring to the work conducted by her Live, Love, Laugh Foundation, she revealed that it was working to create awareness in Karnataka’s Davangere district. “If I am able to save even one life, I will feel my job is done.”