In a landmark decision, Bollywood superstar and long-time mental health advocate Deepika Padukone has been appointed as the first-ever Mental Health Ambassador of the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).
The announcement was made on the occasion of World Mental Health Day, signaling a major step in the Government of India’s efforts to place mental well-being at the heart of its public health agenda.
Deepika Padukone, who founded The Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF) in 2015 after openly sharing her personal battle with depression, expressed her gratitude for the honour.
“On World Mental Health Day, I am deeply honoured to be appointed as the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s first-ever Mental Health Ambassador,” Padukone wrote on social media, adding a photo from her meeting with Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Shri J.P. Nadda.
She further emphasized, “Through my own journey and work we’ve done at @tlllfoundation over the past decade, I’ve seen how much is possible when we come together to build a mentally healthy India.”
As the official Mental Health Ambassador, Padukone will work closely with the Ministry to strengthen the nation’s mental health framework by:
- De-Stigmatization: Normalizing discussions around mental health issues across the country.
- Awareness: Widely disseminating information and encouraging help-seeking behaviour.
- Promotion of Government Initiatives: Highlighting key resources like the Tele-MANAS (Tele-Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) program.
- Creating Safe Spaces: Encouraging open and honest conversations in schools, workplaces, and communities.
Health Minister J.P. Nadda stated that the partnership will help “widely disseminate awareness about mental health issues in India, normalise discussions to reduce stigma, and highlight mental health as an integral aspect of public health.”
With her global influence and a decade of dedicated advocacy, Deepika Padukone is set to inspire millions of Indians to prioritize mental wellness and seek support without fear or hesitation, marking a new chapter in India’s public health narrative.
