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 Union government’s ministry of health and family welfare has now partnered with Deepika Padukone, actor and founder of The Live Love Laugh (LLL) Foundation, to be appointed as the first-ever ‘Mental Health Ambassador’. This was in sync with the World Mental Health Day observed annually on October 10.
A communication from the government said that the development marks a landmark step by the Ministry to inspire a more supportive mental health ecosystem in the country. The LLL Foundation founder will join hands with the ministry to build a stronger, more supportive mental health ecosystem in India. On the occasion, Union minister of health & family welfare, JP Nadda, stated, “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.”
“I am deeply honoured to serve as the first-ever Mental Health Ambassador for the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has made significant strides in prioritizing mental health care. I look forward to working closely with the Ministry to build on this momentum and further strengthen our nation’s mental health framework,” said Deepika Padukone.
In her new role, Padukone will work closely with the Ministry to raise mental health awareness and promote de-stigmatization efforts; encourage help-seeking behaviour and preventive efforts and promote Tele MANAS (Tele-Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States), and other government-approved mental health resources. Further, she will also collaborate with the Union ministry of health & family welfare in building other strategic interventions for equitable mental health care access.
The appointment comes as The Live Love Laugh Foundation Padukone’s charitable trust, founded in 2015 completes 10 years of service and impact. Over the last decade, LiveLoveLaugh has built pathways of care through its flagship Rural Community Mental Health Programme for more than 21,931 persons with mental illness (PWMIs) and their caregivers, in 15 districts in eight states. LLL has also led pioneering nationwide public awareness campaigns, such as ‘Dobara Poocho’ and ‘#NotAshamed,’ as well as programs like ‘You Are Not Alone’ for adolescent students and a ‘Doctors Programme’ for general practitioners. LLL recently launched a corporate mental health and well-being programme.
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