Actress Deepika Padukone has added another milestone to her journey as an advocate for mental health. Marking World Mental Health Day on October 10, the Bollywood star announced that she has been appointed as the first-ever Mental Health Ambassador by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The actress shared the news with her followers on social media, posting a photograph with Union Health Minister JP Nadda and senior ministry official Punya Salila Srivastava. Her husband, actor Ranveer Singh, responded in the comment section with a simple yet heartfelt message, writing, “So proud of you,” along with a clap and a heart emojis.
In her post, Deepika expressed her gratitude for the appointment and reiterated her long-standing commitment to mental health awareness. “On World Mental Health Day, I am deeply honoured to be appointed as the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s first-ever Mental Health Ambassador,” she wrote.
She added, “Led by our honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our nation has taken meaningful steps to place mental health at the heart of public health. Through my own journey and the work we have done over the past decade, I have seen how much is possible when we come together to build a mentally healthy India. I look forward to working under the guidance of Sri JP Nadda to strengthen India’s mental health framework further.”
Over the past decade, Deepika Padukone has become one of the most prominent voices in India’s mental health movement. Her advocacy began after she publicly opened up about her struggle with depression in 2015—a revelation that broke barriers in an industry where conversations about mental illness were often avoided. She went on to establish the Live Love Laugh Foundation, an organisation dedicated to spreading awareness, providing support, and encouraging open dialogue about mental health.
Deepika has frequently spoken about how her personal experiences motivated her to help others facing similar challenges. She has often recalled the period when she battled depression, particularly after her breakup with actor Ranbir Kapoor, saying that seeking help and opening up about her emotions changed her life.
On the professional front, the actress was last seen in Singham Again, directed by Rohit Shetty, which brought together an ensemble cast including Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Kareena Kapoor, and Arjun Kapoor. The film went on to collect around INR 372 crore worldwide.
Deepika, who recently embraced motherhood, has several projects lined up. She will next be seen opposite Shah Rukh Khan in King and is also part of a major upcoming film directed by Atlee, starring Allu Arjun.
