New Delhi: Actor Deepika Padukone while speaking to students at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025' programme on Wednesday, opened up about her struggle with depression and the profound impact it had on her life, describing how the condition, despite being "invisible," left her feeling helpless and unwilling to live.

The 'Kalki' actress, who has frequently been vocal about her struggles with anxiety and mental health, recounted the moment she realised she was experiencing depression.

"After school, there were sports, then modelling, then acting, I worked continuously. One day in 2014, I passed out. A few days later, I realised i passed out bevause of depression," Deepika said.

She revealed that she had not initially spoken about her struggles, but was fortunate that her mother recognised the symptoms and sought professional help.

"Depression is something we can't see. It's invisible. It's possible that people amongst us feel anxious or depressed. We never know because I'm smiling. I'm greeting everyone. For a long time, I didn't share with anyone because I lived in Mumbai then," Deepika shared.

"My mom was visiting me in Mumbai. She stayed with me for a few days. The day they were leaving for Bengaluru, I started crying. They asked, 'What happened? Did someone say something? Did something happen at work?' And I said, 'No, I don't know what this is. I'm just feeling completely helpless and hopeless. I just don't want to live anymore.' But I was very lucky, at that moment my mother realised and she decided to call a psychologist."

Breaking the stigma around mental health

Deepika reflected on the stigma surrounding mental health issues in India, emphasising how important it is to talk about them.

"Mental illness used to be a stigma in our country. 'How can I have it' or 'If I have it, we won't tell anyone.' As soon as I started talking about this illness, I started feeling so free, so light. From there, my journey on mental health awareness began. Depression, anxiety, and stress could happen to anyone at any time."

In 2015, Deepika founded the LiveLoveLaugh (LLL) foundation, which works towards creating awareness about mental health, reducing stigma, and providing credible mental health resources for those in need.

Advice for students on handling exam pressure

During the programme, Deepika also offered valuable advice to students on handling exam-related stress.

"Focus on the things you can control, like, 'Am I prepared or not?' That's in my control. Feeling stressed the night before? Talk to your parents about it. Talk to your teachers. Identifying the cause of stress and expressing it to somebody you trust—that could be one of the ways of dealing with stress. If I'm meditating or doing exercise, that's in my control."

Deepika also reminisced about her school days, sharing her enthusiasm for extracurricular activities and sports.

"I was a very naughty child. I was always interested in extracurricular activities... I used to get very excited for fashion, dance, and sports day... I am fortunate that my parents didn't pressurise me for good marks... I want to tell the parents that they should recognise their child's potential."

Tips for a stress-free life

Using the 'Pariksha Pe Charcha' platform, Deepika advocated for mental well-being and shared practical tips for leading a stress-free life.

"First of all, adequate sleep. Sleep is a superpower which is available free of cost. I think sleep is a part of good mental health. Adequate sunlight, going out to get some fresh air—to get some daylight—can help with your mental health. Always reach out for help."

While addressing students' concerns about exam stress, Deepika reassured them that stress is a natural part of life and encouraged patience when dealing with exams and results.

ANI