MUMBAI, India — Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone, who has been quite vocal about her battle with depression, recently launched the “Frontline Assist” initiative to provide mental health support to the country’s frontline workers amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
As people face a strong negative impact of Covid-19 on their mental health, the Bollywood actress has decided to join hands with Sangath. This non-profit organization is committed to improving health and evidence-based interventions in mental healthcare.
Through this initiative, Padukone, under her “Live Love Laugh” non-profit organization (that deals with mental health issues), will support Sangath’s Covid-19 wellbeing center with sale proceeds from her clothing line, “The Deepika Padukone Closet.”
Padukone’s clothing line has been already dedicatedly supporting her “Live Love Laugh” foundation. Every purchase a person makes from Padukone’s closet supports “Live Love Laugh,” which focuses on giving hope to those experiencing stress, anxiety, and depression.
Taking to her Instagram handle, the “Padmaavat” actor said that she is grateful for the work that frontline workers are doing and thus, will contribute to their mental health.
“Frontline workers have been the backbone of our country as we weather this pandemic,” she wrote.
“Having had a lived experience with mental illness, I understand the importance of emotional wellbeing, and as a mental health foundation, we are grateful to be able to contribute to the mental health of our country’s frontline workers with ‘Frontline Assist.”
“We are proud to direct proceeds from The Deepika Padukone Closet towards mental health support of our country’s real heroes through our partnership with Sangath.”
The coronavirus pandemic has brought severe socio-economic uncertainties, increasing anxiety, depression, addiction, and suicide.
Last month, Padukone launched a digital guide called “Chain of Wellbeing” to help and support people dealing with “the overall gloom and overwhelm” in these taxing times. She used the “Guides” feature on Instagram to prepare a list of “Chain of Wellbeing.”
“A gentle reminder to take care,” she captioned the post.
The digital guide is compiled in association with various social media handles, including The United Nations’ UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund), India, with similar goals to help the mass audience.
It comprises topics like “Managing Stress and Anxiety Amidst The Pandemic,” “Managing Trauma and Loss,” “Feel Your Feelings,” “Managing The Effects of Isolation,” “Coping With Grief And Loss,” “Finding Your Flow,” “Developing An Enjoyment Of Solitude,” “Make Time For Yourself,” “The Effects Of Journaling,” “Seeking Help With Mental Health,” “How To Deal With Uncertainty,” and “Setting Better Boundaries.”
Many actors like Ali Fazal, Sanjana Sanghi, Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif, and Sidharth Malhotra came forward to amplify distress calls, share helpline numbers, and support relief efforts when India was witnessing a rampant surge in the number of Covid-19 cases during the second wave of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, on the film front, Padukone, who announced her departure from the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) in April, has an impressive line-up of projects in the pipeline, including “83,” “Baiju Bawra,” “Fighter,” “Sanki,” “Pathan.”
She will also star in the Indian adaptation of Nancy Meyers’s 2015 hit Hollywood film “The Intern,” which will feature megastar Amitabh Bachchan.
(With inputs from ANI)
(Edited by Ojaswin Kathuria and Nikita Nikhil)
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