Deepika to launch public awareness campaign on mental health

Mumbai: After entertaining cinegoers with her vivacious presence on the silver screen, Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone is set to embark on an initiative to offer hope to those facing mental health challenges. Deepika will launch in the capital next week India’s first ever nationwide public awareness campaign on mental health .

The campaign will be launched by The Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF), a not-for-profit organisation founded by Deepika, The campaign starting on the occasion of World Mental Health Day on October 10 is sharply focused on informing and sensitizing public across the country about depression.It aims to offer hope to those facing mental health challenges and serve an important marker on the long and challenging journey in addressing the social stigma around mental health that exists in society. The campaign launch will be preceded by a high-powered panel discussion on mental health - India’s mental health tsunami.

The panelists for the same will include Deepika, a Representative from Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, president of the Indian Medical Association KK Aggarwal, Chair of the Board of Trustees, The Live Love Laugh Foundation, Anna Chandy, President, Indian Psychiatric Society. G Prasad Rao and WHO Representative to India Dr Vikram Patel. It is estimated that by the year 2020 the burden of depression in India will increase to 5.7 per cent and it would be the leading cause of disability, second only to ischemic heart disease. (UNI)