Bollywood actress and producer Deepika Padukone has opened up about her struggle with depression in a moving video which coincided with World Mental Health Day.
The video, posted to Facebook, and captioned with: "This is my story and I'm #NotAshamed" has attracted almost half a million views.
"I didn't think anyone understood what I was experiencing," Padukone said. "I didn't want to wake up. I found comfort in sleep because I felt like that was my escape. Waking up was a struggle - I think that's something I'm still scared of..."
"I think waking up was tough because... I didn't want to face a day," the actress said through tears.
"Every day was a challenge," she continued.
"I was conscious of people seeing it on my face.
"In 2014, I was diagnosed with clinical depression,” Padukone said in a follow-up video posted to her Instagram account.
She added: “But in India, 90 per cent of people who suffer from depression don’t seek help. Depression is like any other illness that requires intervention.”
The star, who has over 34 million followers on Facebook, encouraged others to seek treatment.
"There are others who refuse to seek help due to the stigma attached to mental illnesses. In 2015, I shared my story. Today I urge you to share yours too using the hashtag #NotAshamed."
Padukone first came out with her mental health battle in 2015, starting The Live Love Laugh Foundation to help others in a similar situation.
Mental health support services:
Carers Australia 1800 242 636 - Short-term counselling and emotional and psychological support services for carers and their families in each state and territory.
Headspace 1800 650 890 - a free online and telephone service that supports young people aged between 12 and 25 and their families going through a tough time.
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 - A free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.
Mindspot Clinic 1800 61 44 34 - An online and telephone clinic providing free assessment and treatment services for Australian adults with anxiety or depression.
QLife 1800 184 527 - QLife is Australia’s first nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for LGBTI people.
Relationships Australia 1300 364 277- A provider of relationship support services for individuals, families and communities.
SANE Australia 1800 18 7263 - Information about mental illness, treatments, where to go for support and help carers.
New series How ‘Mad’ Are You? takes a unique look at mental health. The two-part series premieres 11 October, 8.30pm on SBS.
