Anisha Padukone has opened up about the valuable lessons she learned from her sister Deepika Padukone's battle with clinical depression. She admitted that she initially failed to recognize the warning signs and felt unprepared to offer the support her sister needed.
Caught Off Guard
Speaking to Indian media, Anisha recalled being taken by surprise by Deepika's mental health struggles in 2015, partly because the sisters lived in different cities and had limited daily contact. "I was not aware enough," Anisha confessed. "The fact that we didn't live in the same city also didn't help, and I was completely caught unaware and off guard."
A Wake-Up Call
Deepika's experience forced Anisha to confront her own lack of understanding about mental health. She emphasized the importance of educating oneself to effectively support loved ones. "Her journey teaches me that I do not know enough about the subject and need to read and understand it in order to support her in the way that is required," she said.
Anisha revealed that her sister's diagnosis marked the beginning of her own mental health journey. As a professional golfer, she had long prioritized physical fitness but had neglected emotional and psychological well-being. "That is also when my own mental health journey begins. I start taking better care of my mental health. As an athlete, I always focus on physical health to some extent, but not so much on mental health," she explained.
Global Perspective
As she learned more, Anisha realized how widespread mental health challenges are. "The more I research and understand this subject, the more I realise that there are millions of people, not just in India but globally, going through similar experiences," she added.
Foundation Work
Deepika publicly spoke about her depression in 2015 and later launched the Live Love Laugh Foundation on World Mental Health Day that year. The organization works to raise awareness about anxiety, depression, and mental health stigma while promoting access to support and resources. Anisha eventually left her professional golfing career to work full-time with the foundation, gaining deeper insight into the challenges faced by both individuals living with mental illness and their caregivers.
"I always felt that I had an adequate understanding of mental health until I became a caregiver," she said. "My lack of awareness on the topic made me feel helpless. It wasn't until mental health professionals guided me about what to do and I started to read up on the topic that I was able to be truly helpful."
Key Lessons
Reflecting on the most valuable lessons, Anisha stressed the importance of empathy, patience, and creating a safe environment for open discussion. "I learned that being empathetic, understanding and patient was incredibly helpful. Creating a safe space where people can share their feelings without fear of judgement is also crucial," she said.
She also highlighted an often-overlooked aspect of caregiving: the need for caregivers to prioritize their own well-being. "Taking care of your own well-being as a caregiver is just as important as supporting someone living with mental illness."
