New Delhi – Renowned actor Deepika Padukone has been officially appointed as the first-ever Mental Health Ambassador for the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), marking a significant step in the nation’s efforts to prioritize mental well-being.
The announcement was conveyed via a social media post by the Ministry, highlighting the commencement of a high-profile collaboration aimed at enhancing India’s mental health ecosystem.
Expressing her profound gratitude for the new role, the actor emphasized her deep-seated commitment to supporting the nation’s ongoing initiatives. “I am deeply honoured to be appointed as the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s first-ever Mental Health Ambassador,” Padukone stated, adding her commitment to supporting India’s efforts under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Through this partnership, Padukone aims to actively contribute to strengthening the nation’s mental health framework, building on the significant strides the country has already made in prioritising mental well-being.
The Ministry underscored the importance of the collaboration, noting that the partnership is a vital step toward raising awareness, reducing the pervasive stigma associated with mental illness, and promoting mental health across the country as an integral part of public health. Padukone, who has been a vocal advocate for mental health since publicly discussing her own battle with depression and founding The Live Love Laugh Foundation in 2015, is expected to leverage her platform to normalize discussions and encourage help-seeking behaviour nationwide.
