Deepika Padukone launches lecture series on mental health

Deepika Padukone, who has always been vocal about mental health and importance of advocating the issue, feels that we have come a long way in this regard. "I think, as far as the conversation about mental health is concerned, we have come a long way. The most crucial role has been played by the media as it has open up conversations around the topic in various ways – through interviews, write-ups and articles."

The Padmaavat actor was speaking at the launch of a lecture series by The Live Love Laugh Foundation. Aim of the initiative is to steer and shape the conversation on mental health and increase awareness about the same.

Live Love Laugh is a charitable trust that was set up in 2015 to give hope to everyone who is experiencing stress, anxiety and depression.

The first edition of this lecture series was held at Taj Mahal, New Delhi on September 15, 2019, where the maiden lecture was delivered by Pulitzer prize-winning author and Padmashri Awardee Dr Siddhartha Mukherjee.

The event was attended by Deepika Padukone; Anisha Padukone; Prakash Padukone; Ujjala Padukone; Sharmila Tagore; Indu Bhushan, CEO Ayushman Bharat; Amitabh Kant, CEO, Niti Aayog; Dr Balaram Bhargava; Professor Vijay Raghava; Professor Gagandeep Kang; Sanjeev Sanyal among other dignitaries and guests.

Concluding her statement, Deepika said, "The lecture series is to invite people from across the world (from different profession) to come up, passionately talk about mental health and share their experiences and journey on an open platform."