You could say a personal loss is what moved Deepika from just talking about depression to putting together a whole platform for it. Prakash, the badminton icon, has been open about how one of her friends died not long after she made her 2015 announcement, and in a way, that was the spark for the foundation.
He opened up about the family’s side of things in a sit-down with Rodrigo Canelas on The Something Bigger Show. They never had any second thoughts about her being so forthright; if anything, they were the ones who gave her the green light when she thought of making a go of a mental health project.
A turning point that changed the conversation
Prakash says it was only after the bereavement that they really put some structure to a long-term plan. Deepika saw there was a pressing need for more visibility and wanted to do something with a foundation that wasn’t the kind of cause you typically see a celebrity behind.
“Do what you want, we are with you,” is what he told her. He is also quick to point out that mental health is a serious condition with a lot of stigma attached to it, and there is no room for shame when you are in a position to help someone.
From disclosure to a movement
Back in 2015, with her mother by her side, Deepika was on TV to tell her side of the story. Since then, she hasn’t let the subject go. The foundation is her way of countering the hush-hush attitude and the guilt that can stop you from getting the help you need.
Some ten years in, Prakash feels the foundation has made “a huge difference.” His view of what they do is straightforward: they don’t push an agenda, they just make you think and nudge you to put as much stock in your mind as you do in your body.
He puts it in very down-to-earth terms. If you are feeling down or unwell, see a psychiatrist. It is a treatable thing. And if you get to it in time, you might not even have to be on medication; a good talk with a therapist will do.
What her father wants Indians to hear
For the families and the individuals, here is what Prakash would have you remember:
– Tell your tale if it means you can be of use to another
– Put aside any shame in asking for some assistance
– Make an appointment with a professional
– You can sidestep the need for drugs with early intervention
– A session of talking can work wonders
Deepika on scepticism and staying the course
It hasn’t all been plain sailing. She has been candid about the kind of questions that come your way. In a piece with CNBC-TV18, she went back to a planning session at her dining table with Dr. Shyam and Anna Chandy, the two who were there for her when she needed it.
There were those who wondered if a star was just making a show of it or if a pharma firm was in her pocket. But she put her team in their place: “We have to put our heads down and get on with it.”
She has a vision for the future of mental health in India, and it is as unpretentious as gully cricket. She wants it to be a part of the culture, something you can put your finger on without any fuss.
Why this matters now
What Prakash is saying is that for a lot of Indians, shame is still a barrier. Deepika has used her profile to make the idea of treatment seem like nothing to be afraid of. And the way the family has stood by her is something for others to follow: support the person, and the work they are doing.
You can see the effect in the way people live. Whether it is to de-stress or to have a good meal, these aren’t frills. As Prakash has come to see, they are as much a part of being well as anything else.
This is the reality of living with clinical depression and the part a therapist can play. We share it for what it is, and it is not to be taken as medical advice or a diagnosis.
Should you or an acquaintance be in a rough spot, do not be a stranger. We have put down some numbers for you to call on:
– Email: [email protected] (10am – 10pm, every day)
– On the phone: 9922004305, 9922001122
– Write to: [email protected]
– Or: [email protected]
In the end, with Deepika and her family, it is clear that going for help is a sign of strength. The takeaway is as simple as it is: have a word with a pro and deal with it like any other ailment. That kind of thinking, as Prakash will tell you, can be the difference between life and death.
