Why Was Deepika Padukone Chosen as India’s First Mental Health Ambassador?
Deepika Padukone champions awareness and de-stigmatization.
On World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2025, the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) announced Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone as India’s inaugural Mental Health Ambassador, a landmark move to bolster the nation’s mental health support system. The appointment aims to foster open conversations, reduce stigma, and promote government initiatives like Tele MANAS, with Padukone leveraging her platform and personal experiences to drive impactful change.
Padukone’s selection stems from her candid advocacy for mental health, rooted in her own struggles with depression, which she has openly discussed since 2015. Through her Live Love Laugh Foundation, she has championed awareness campaigns and support programs, making her a natural fit for this role. Union Health Minister JP Nadda emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating, “The partnership with Deepika Padukone will help widely disseminate awareness about mental health issues in India, normalize discussions to reduce stigma, and highlight mental health as an integral aspect of public health.”
In an Instagram post, Padukone shared a photo of herself in discussion with Nadda and Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary of the Department of Health & Family Welfare, captioning it, “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.”
Reflecting on her journey she recalled the inception of her advocacy: “I still remember that first meeting in my home at the dining table. It was just the three of us — myself, Dr Shyam, and Anna Chandy — who were also the people I went to when I was seeking help. I knew very early on that this was something I wanted to share with the world, but also to do something more.”
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Padukone’s role will involve collaborating with the MoHFW to promote mental health awareness, organize destigmatization programs, and amplify government efforts to make mental health resources accessible. Her appointment marks a pivotal step in integrating mental health into India’s public health framework, inspiring millions to prioritize well-being without shame.
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