Deepika Padukone discusses mental health and depression: Here's what parents need to know

In the recent episode of PM Modi's ambitious outreach program for students, Pariksha pe Charcha, actor Deepika Padukone talked about depression. "Pariksha Pe Charcha is back with its 8th edition! And this time, we'll also be discussing the importance of mental health. Thank you, Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for your commitment to this cause. I look forward to launching our episode," she had posted on Instagram earlier.
Talking about depression with kids is crucial because mental health affects their overall well-being, growth, and future. Children, like adults, experience stress, anxiety, and sadness, but they may not always understand or express their emotions. If left unaddressed, depression can lead to low self-esteem, academic struggles, social withdrawal, and even self-harm.
Deepika advised kids to share their problems with their parents and teachers.
When addressing students on managing stress and handling pressure from teachers and parents, she advised, "Focus on things you can control. Talk to your parents and teachers about your stress, identify its cause, and express it to someone you trust." She also encouraged students to practice meditation and exercise as effective ways to cope with stress.
Deepika emphasised that making mistakes is part of learning and highlighted the importance of fun, rest, and exposure to natural sunlight. As part of an interactive session, she conducted an activity where students wrote their strengths on pieces of paper and displayed them on a board.
"This activity helps you realise that if you focus on your strengths rather than weaknesses, you'll see how many things you're good at," she said.
"I was a very naughty child. Even today my parents say that you will never find Deepika at the ground level. I used to always jump from the sofas, tables, and chairs. I was always more interested in ex-curricular activities," she said and added that throughout her life she has been working continuously.
She didn't have anyone to express her anxiety as she was staying alone in Mumbai. It was once when her mother visited she cried helplessly and that's when her mother identified her problem and helped her deal with it.
Silence around mental health can create stigma and fear, preventing children from sharing their struggles. Instead, open conversations at home and in schools create a safe environment where kids feel heard and supported. Encouraging healthy habits like exercise, mindfulness, and expressing emotions can prevent long-term mental health issues.
By openly discussing mental health, we help kids recognize their feelings and assure them that it’s okay to seek help. Teaching them about emotions, coping strategies, and support systems builds resilience and emotional intelligence. When kids understand depression, they are more likely to identify warning signs in themselves and others, leading to early intervention.
Watch her interaction here:

(With inputs from agencies)