Depression is the flavor of the season for healthcare marketing

Until Deepika Padukone stood up at a public forum to speak about her battle with depression, the disease wasn’t even recognized as such. Suddenly, post that historic moment, pharmaceutical companies, individuals and healthcare organizations are falling all over themselves to contribute their mite to the cause of mental health. This is especially significant as October 10^th marks the worldwide recognition of the World Mental Health Day.

There’s nothing wrong with a celebrity being able to endorse a cause. Rather, it is sad that until celebrities attach their name or their money, the cause remains under the radar for most people. Especially in the Indian context, mental health has historically never been viewed as an illness or a disease to be treated. It has been attributed to demonic possession, to “weak-mindedness”, lack of will or even sheer laziness! The cultural mores made speaking openly about it not just taboo but as something embarrassing to be hidden away and dealt with privately.

So it was with a great deal of positivity that I reacted to the news of the Live, Love Laugh Foundation! Not just because of the Deepika factor, but in spite of it! 

The Foundation has an interesting logo and an even better objective – to express, share and champion mental health concerns. The site is power-packed to deliver. Not only can you learn and understand more about mental health, you can also find a therapist, read inspirational stories of other sufferers, access great articles, find answers to common questions and even share your tips and tricks to deal with the illness or its care and management.  Help lines offer telephonic solace to callers and a call for donations promises to do more for the cause as well.

As the foundations gets set to celebrate one meaningful year of its existence, it continues to strive to achieve the following:

• Creating awareness and reducing the stigma around mental health
• Partnering with other non-profits organizations and academic institutions to drive various interventions and
• Supporting research in the area of mental health

These objectives will be delivered through the creations and sustenance of programs like:

• You are not alone
• Together against depression and
• The Nationwide Campaign

Do check out the foundation website and learn more about the steps they have taken. We need more such meaningful initiatives to help the estimated 7% of our population suffering from mental health issues. If more celebrities can lend their fame and resources to such programs, there is indeed hope that we can tackle this sooner.