World Mental Health Day 2026 highlights the importance of listening to people with lived experience of mental health conditions. Bollywood celebrities Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Hrithik Roshan, Karan Johar, Aamir Khan, Shruti Haasan and Yo Yo Honey Singh have publicly discussed their experiences. Their accounts have helped bring conversations about mental well-being, therapy and seeking professional support into the public domain.
Why Is World Mental Health Day Observed on October 10?
World Mental Health Day is observed annually on October 10 to raise awareness about mental health and encourage better access to support and care.
The World Health Organization’s theme for 2026 is “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.” It calls for people with direct experience of mental health conditions to have a meaningful role in shaping the services and decisions that affect them.
Celebrity disclosures can contribute to these conversations by making mental health a more visible topic. However, each person’s experience is individual, and public accounts cannot represent everyone’s circumstances.
Here are seven Indian film and music personalities who have spoken publicly about mental health, personal challenges or professional support.
1. Deepika Padukone Has Championed Mental Health Awareness
Deepika Padukone has spoken about experiencing depression and has become a prominent advocate for mental health awareness.
In 2015, the actor publicly discussed her experience and the importance of seeking support. She subsequently founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation, which works to raise awareness and address stigma surrounding mental health.
Deepika has repeatedly encouraged people to communicate openly and seek help when they need it. Her advocacy also became part of a national initiative when the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare appointed her its first Mental Health Ambassador in October 2025.
Her work has helped bring conversations about mental health into public view, extending beyond her career in cinema.
2. Alia Bhatt Has Discussed ADHD, Anxiety and Therapy
Alia Bhatt has spoken about receiving diagnoses of ADHD and anxiety and learning more about how she experiences the world.
During a conversation on Jay Shetty’s podcast in March 2025, the actor described the challenges she experienced in social situations and with maintaining focus. She also discussed how understanding her experiences helped her make sense of what she had been feeling.
Alia has described managing her mental well-being as an ongoing process. Her comments have encouraged conversations about recognising individual needs and finding appropriate ways to manage challenges.
Her account is a personal experience, rather than a template for understanding or diagnosing anyone else.
3. Hrithik Roshan Has Encouraged Open Conversations About Depression
Hrithik Roshan has spoken publicly about experiencing depression and emotional difficulties.
At a mental health awareness event in 2016, the actor discussed the importance of making conversations about mental well-being more natural. He also highlighted the value of gaining an outside perspective when unwanted thoughts become difficult to manage.
His message challenged the idea that emotional struggles should remain private or be treated as a source of shame.
By discussing his own experience, Hrithik encouraged people to take mental health seriously and consider seeking support rather than facing every difficulty alone.
4. Karan Johar Has Opened Up About Body Dysmorphia
Filmmaker Karan Johar has discussed his experience of body dysmorphia and the insecurities he has faced over the years.
In a July 2024 conversation with journalist Faye D’Souza, Karan spoke about feeling uncomfortable with his appearance and how those feelings continued despite his efforts to address them. He also discussed seeking professional help.
His account brought attention to the difference between how a person appears to others and how they may feel about themselves.
Karan’s disclosure also highlighted how concerns about body image can persist even when someone enjoys professional success. His experience has contributed to wider conversations about appearance-related distress and emotional well-being.
5. Aamir Khan Has Spoken About Therapy With His Daughter Ira Khan
Aamir Khan has publicly discussed the value he has found in therapy, including joint sessions with his daughter, Ira Khan.
In November 2024, the actor spoke about their decision to attend therapy together to work on their relationship. He encouraged people experiencing emotional difficulties to consider professional support when they feel it could help.
Aamir’s comments offered an example of therapy being used to address relationship concerns, rather than being discussed only in the context of an individual crisis.
His openness also challenged the stigma that can surround seeking help. The actor’s message was straightforward: professional support can be a useful option when someone is struggling emotionally.
6. Shruti Haasan Has Shared Her Experience With Therapy
Shruti Haasan has spoken about seeking therapy and the importance of taking mental health concerns seriously.
In an interview with HT City during the lockdown period, the actor discussed the stigma that can make people reluctant to talk about their mental well-being. She also shared that she had been attending therapy and had found practices such as meditation helpful.
Her comments encouraged people to consider support options without feeling ashamed of needing help.
Shruti’s experience reinforces an important distinction: people may find different approaches useful, and what works for one person may not work for another. Decisions about treatment and support should be made according to individual needs.
7. Yo Yo Honey Singh Has Discussed His Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis
Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh has spoken about his experience of bipolar disorder and the period when his mental health difficulties disrupted his professional and personal life.
In a conversation on the ABtalks podcast in 2026, he described spending years largely away from public life and discussed the challenges he experienced during that period. He also spoke about treatment and medication as part of his recovery.
His account highlighted how mental health difficulties can affect a person’s everyday life, including their ability to work and maintain social connections.
Honey Singh’s willingness to discuss a difficult period in his life has helped bring greater visibility to conversations about bipolar disorder. His experience is personal, and treatment outcomes can differ from one individual to another.
Why These Celebrity Stories Matter Beyond World Mental Health Day
The experiences shared by these seven celebrities show how public conversations about mental health can take different forms.
Some have discussed depression or anxiety. Others have spoken about body image, therapy, relationships or living with a diagnosed condition. Their accounts do not offer a single explanation for mental health difficulties, nor do they replace professional guidance.
What connects their stories is their willingness to discuss subjects that can still carry stigma. When public figures speak openly, they can help make it easier for others to start conversations and recognise that seeking support need not be a source of shame.
World Mental Health Day offers an opportunity to listen to these experiences while remembering that meaningful awareness must extend beyond a single date. Access to appropriate care, respectful conversations and support for people with lived experience remain essential throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is World Mental Health Day 2026?
World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10 every year. In 2026, the World Health Organization’s theme is “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.”
Which Bollywood celebrities have spoken publicly about mental health?
Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Hrithik Roshan, Karan Johar, Aamir Khan, Shruti Haasan and Yo Yo Honey Singh have publicly discussed their mental health experiences or the importance of seeking support.
What has Deepika Padukone done to promote mental health awareness?
Deepika founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation in 2015 after publicly discussing her experience with depression. In October 2025, she was appointed the first Mental Health Ambassador by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Which celebrities have spoken about attending therapy?
Aamir Khan has discussed attending joint therapy sessions with his daughter, Ira Khan. Karan Johar and Shruti Haasan have also spoken publicly about seeking professional support.
Why is it important for celebrities to discuss mental health?
When celebrities share their experiences, they can help make conversations about mental health more visible and challenge stigma. Their accounts are personal experiences, however, and do not replace professional advice or treatment.
