Movie News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s annual ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ event, aimed at helping students overcome exam stress, saw Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone as a key participant this year. Deepika shared insights on mental health and the importance of opening up about struggles.
Recalling her own journey, Deepika spoke about the intense pressure she faced during her school days and the fear of failure. She emphasized that students should not suppress their problems but instead share them with parents, friends, teachers, or family members.
Deepika's Battle with Depression
Deepika reflected on her personal struggle with depression, revealing that despite achieving success in sports, modeling, and films, she suffered a major mental health crisis in 2014.
"I suddenly collapsed emotionally. Depression is invisible, yet it deeply affects a person. Living alone in Mumbai, I kept my struggles to myself for a long time. One day, when my mother visited me, I broke down completely as she was leaving for Bengaluru. I clung to her, crying, and told her, ‘I feel helpless. I have lost hope in life. I don’t want to live anymore.’ That’s when she advised me to see a mental health professional," Deepika recalled.
The Importance of Speaking Up
Deepika highlighted that mental health is often ignored in India, and many people suffer silently despite appearing happy on the outside.
"There are many people around us battling problems, but we may not even realize it. Once I spoke about my struggles, I felt a huge burden lifted. Anxiety, stress, and hopelessness affect everyone at some point. These emotions can be overwhelming, but we must not fear them. Instead, we should talk about them. Suppressing pain only makes it worse. Sharing our struggles helps lighten the burden," she advised students.
Through her participation in Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025, Deepika encouraged students to prioritize mental well-being, seek help when needed, and not hesitate to talk about their problems.
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