Mumbai: Deepika Padukone has been appointed the first Mental Health Ambassador for India! The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (UMH) and MoHFW held an event in New Delhi to mark World Mental Health Day 2025. This is an important step taken by the government of India towards creating a more gentle and inclusive mental healthcare system around country.
He said the appointment would help inform people about access to mental health services “Ms. Deepika Padukone will work with us to raise widespread awareness about the issue, make it easier for people to talk about problems and help rather than hide away their feelings. We truly appreciate this partnership.”
Actress and founder of Live Laugh Love Foundation, Deepika Padukone said “It is a matter of deep honor for me to be named the first-ever Mental Health Ambassador of the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has taken major strides to promote mental health care. I look forward to working closely with the Ministry over the coming days as we take advantage of these positive developments and build up our nation’s mental healthcare system even more.”
Padukone founded the foundation to change attitudes towards and increase understanding of mental health in India. She said “90% of people with depression in India do not seek help” and established the foundation because of this. Using the hashtag #NotAshamed on social media, she encourages others to share their own stories related to mental illness.
In her new role uniquely created for her, Deepika Padukone will work with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to:
- Incres mental health awareness and lead efforts to eliminate stigma and misconceptions about mental well-being.
- Encorige early action and help-seeking behaviour so as to get people into professional care and support services.
- Promote government programs such as Tele MANAS (Tele-Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) for the accessible provision of mental health services.
Tele-Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (Tele-MANAS) is part of the Government of India’s National Tele-Mental Health Program, designed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It aims to provide mental healthcare support and counseling services digitally to all of the country’s citizens.
