Anisha Padukone says she missed signs of sister Deepika's depression

Says it exposed her lack of understanding about mental health, ultimately leading her to become a caregiver

Anisha Padukone has reflected on the lessons she learned from sister Deepika Padukone's battle with clinical depression, admitting that she was unable to recognise the warning signs at the time and felt unprepared to provide the support her sister needed.

Speaking to Indian media, Anisha recalled being caught off guard by Deepika's mental health struggles in 2015, partly because the sisters were living in different cities and had limited day-to-day contact. "I was not aware enough," Anisha admitted. "The fact that we didn't live in the same city also didn't help, and I was completely caught unaware and off guard."

She said Deepika's experience forced her to confront her own lack of understanding about mental health and highlighted the importance of educating oneself in order to support loved ones effectively. "Her journey teaches me that I do not know enough about the subject and need to read and understand it in order to support her in the way that is required," she said.

Anisha revealed that her sister's diagnosis also marked the beginning of her own mental health journey. As a professional golfer, she had long prioritised physical fitness but had given far less attention to emotional and psychological wellbeing.

"That is also when my own mental health journey begins. I start taking better care of my mental health. As an athlete, I always focus on physical health to some extent, but not so much on mental health," she said.

As she learned more about the subject, Anisha said she came to realise how widespread mental health challenges are around the world. "The more I research and understand this subject, the more I realise that there are millions of people, not just in India but globally, going through similar experiences," she added.

Deepika publicly spoke about her struggle with depression in 2015 and later launched the Live Love Laugh Foundation on World Mental Health Day that year. The organisation works to raise awareness about anxiety, depression and mental health stigma while promoting access to support and resources.

Anisha eventually stepped away from her professional golfing career to work full-time with the foundation, where she gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by both individuals living with mental illness and those caring for them.

"I always felt that I had an adequate understanding of mental health until I became a caregiver," she said. "My lack of awareness on the topic made me feel helpless. It wasn't until mental health professionals guided me about what to do and I started to read up on the topic that I was able to be truly helpful."

Reflecting on the most valuable lessons she learned, Anisha stressed the importance of empathy, patience and creating an environment where people feel safe discussing their struggles.

"I learned that being empathetic, understanding and patient was incredibly helpful. Creating a safe space where people can share their feelings without fear of judgement is also crucial," she said.

She also highlighted an often-overlooked aspect of caregiving: the need for caregivers to prioritise their own wellbeing. "Taking care of your own well-being as a caregiver is just as important as supporting someone living with mental illness."