In an honest and emotional conversation actress Shama Sikander has shared her struggles with mental health revealing that she tried to take her own life during a time of deep depression and bipolar disorder. In an interview with Bollywood Bubble Shama, recognized for her performance in the television series Yeh Meri Life Hai recounted how her family stepped in to save her after she ingested a significant amount of sleeping pills.

Recalling the traumatic event, Shama said, “15 years ago, I was in a terrible state, suffering from severe depression and bipolar disorder. It was then that I learned my grandmother might have also had bipolar disorder, which is genetic. Back then, people thought she was possessed, and I did similar things. But because of my awareness and living in today’s times, I realized I wasn’t possessed. That’s when I gave up my career and left the industry.”

Shama admitted that she had experienced suicidal thoughts, "Of course. I tried to commit suicide, and my family saved me. I told God, ‘I’m tired of people-pleasing, I can’t do this anymore. Let’s make a deal—I'm ending this life, and you give me another one.’ After that, I took many sleeping pills and fell asleep.”

Shama shared how her brother became worried upon getting a strange message from her. “I think while I was asleep, I sent my bank details to my brother, who was at a wedding. He wondered why I was sending this at that time. My mother was reading the Quran, and I had told her not to disturb me. My brother then called my mother, and they realized something was wrong when I wouldn’t wake up. They rushed to my side, but I was like dead weight. It took six people to carry me.”

The actress also revealed that her family hurried her to the emergency room, but the hospital staff were reluctant to let her in, suspecting it might be a suicide situation. A friend was able to convince a police officer to step in and ultimately the hospital accepted her. “They removed the poison from my body all night, and I was revived the next day,” Shama recollected.

The actress spoke about the next few years being among the most challenging times she has ever faced. "That two-three year patch was incredibly hard. I didn’t want to leave my room; I would sleep and cry all day. I felt empty and sad all the time. It took me a long time to realize I wasn’t on the right path."

Shama's story serves as a poignant reminder about the significance of being mindful of mental health and how crucial support networks can be in navigating through challenging moments.