It was my mother who pointed out depression symptoms in me: Deepika Padukone

The actor emphasised the importance of being vigilant for subtle cries of help, especially around loved ones

Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone owes her life, particularly her mental health, to her mother, Ujjala Padukone. The actor shared that it was her mother who originally pointed out the signs and symptoms of depression in her and urged her to get help. The 36-year-old actor, who has been open about her battle against depression, emphasised the significance of being vigilant of the subtle cries of help, especially around loved ones.

Speaking to NDTV, the Padmaavat actor shed light on the role of family and friends when someone is struggling with a mental health condition. Linking it to her personal experience, she said she doesn’t even know where she would be today if her mother had not pointed out the uncharacteristic changes in her and told her to seek help.  

Deepika, who runs a mental health foundation Live Love Laugh Foundation, is currently in Tamil Nadu. Talking about her big plans on expanding her foundation’s rural community mental health program ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10, she stressed the importance of caregivers for those struggling with their mental health.

“[The role of the family] is extremely crucial. Even in my personal journey, the role of the caregiver has been extremely important that’s why my mother is here, that’s why my sister has been so passionately part of this cause for many years and also therefore when I hear the stories of the caregivers, I understand how equally important that is as well, and the emotional well-being of the caregiver is as important as the emotional well-being of the person experiencing mental illness,” she told the publication while thanking her mother for being her caregiver throughout her journey.

She further added how her mother guided her on the next step to take after she realised her daughter’s pain. “In my own case, for example, had my mother and the caregiver not identified my symptoms, in my moment of vulnerability, had she not had the presence of mind to tell me to or help me reach out to the professionals, I don’t know what state I would be in today.”

While Deepika stressed a caregiver’s presence, she also talked about the effect it can have on them while helping. “Ensuring I was regular with my treatment, with my consultations with the doctors — of course, it takes a toll on the caregiver as well and that’s not something new. I think caregivers in general, whether it is mental illness or any other form of illness, it takes a toll on the caregiver,” she said.

On the work front, the Gehraiyaan actor has several movies in the pipeline. She will next reunite with Shah Rukh Khan for Pathaan alongside John Abraham, scheduled to release on January 25. Along with that, she will also star opposite Prabhas and Disha Patani in Nag Ashwin’s directorial Project K. Her other much-awaited projects include a remake of the American comedy film The Intern costarring Amitabh Bachchan and Siddharth Anand’s Fighter with Hrithik Roshan.