‘Talk to Someone’: After Sushant Singh Rajput’s Death, Bollywood Calls for Better Mental Health Care
Many from the film fraternity urged people to be more sensitive, empathetic and available to their close ones who might be silently suffering.
MUMBAI: PTI Sushant Singh Rajput’s death on Sunday has once again put spotlight on the importance of mental health care with celebrities including Anil Kapoor, Karan Johar, Deepika Padukone, Ileana D’Cruz and Zoya Akhtar emphasising upon the need to communicate.
Many from the film fraternity urged people to be more sensitive, empathetic and available to their close ones who might be silently suffering.
Deepika Padukone said as someone who has battled depression, she understands the importance of reaching out. “As a person who has had a lived experience with mental illness, I cannot stress enough about the importance of reaching out. Talk. Communicate. Express. Seek help. Remember, you are not alone. We are in this together. And most importantly, there is hope,” she posted on Instagram.
Karan Johar said he “blames” himself for not being in touch with Sushant for the past one year. “I have felt at times like you may have needed people to share your life with but somehow I never followed up on that feeling… Will never make that mistake again. We live in very energetic and noisy but still very isolated times some of us succumb to these silences and go within. We need to not just make relationships but also constantly nurture them,” he said,
“Sushant’s unfortunate demise has been a huge wake up call to me to my level of compassion and to my ability to foster and protect my equations. I hope this resonates with all of you as well… will miss your infectious smile and your bear hug,” he added.
Anil Kapoor tweeted, “The fact is, we never really know what anyone is feeling in the deep recesses of their hearts. If you feel like you’re drowning please please please reach out to someone you trust, whether that is a friend, family member or a professional.”
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) June 14, 2020
Actress Ileana D’Cruz posted a long note on Instagram, saying, “Spent the day in a heavy emotional haze… Bawled my eyes out for hours… I didn’t even know Sushant personally but this hit so close to home it affected me so deeply…
Zoya Akhtar said she hopes people soon realise the importance of mental health and treat those in need with utmost care. “You have gone too soon and all we can do is make sure you haven’t gone in vain. May we realise the importance of mental health. May we treat depression and anxiety with the care it needs. May we be there for those around us who could be suffering,” she said.
In December 2019, TV actor-model Kushal Punjabi committed suicide at his residence. Balika Vadhu star Pratyusha Banerjee, VJ-model Nafisa Joseph, actor-model Kuljeet Randhawa, actress Jiah Khan, actor Kunal Singh, and recently TV actors Manmeet Grewal and Preksha Mehta are among those from showbiz who have succumbed to stress and mental health issues.
Actor Richa Chadha said the entertainment industry comes with tremendous pressure and the conversation regarding mental health should take centre stage. “Happiness doesn’t lie in money, fame and things. It’s something that needs cultivating like a habit, especially in our field of work, almost daily. If we can withstand the pressure! Audience, press, peers, please be kind… #MentalHealthMatters. RIP friend, see you soon,” she added.
Happiness doesn't lie in money, fame and things…It's something that needs cultivating like a habit, esp in our field of work,almost daily,IF we can withstand the pressure! Audience, Press, PLZ peers be kind 🙏! at is out of the bag, #MentalHealthMatters
RIP friend, c u soon.— TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha) June 14, 2020
Actress tweeted, “What? Why? Psychiatrists say suicide can be prevented if those around can read the signals and seek medical help and counselling. What a loss for the film industry.”
What ? Why ? Psychiatrists say suicide can be prevented if those around can read the signals and seek medical help and counselling.
What a loss for the film industry #Sushant Singh Rajput -Deeply tragic.— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) June 14, 2020