Meera Deosthale on mental health: I know people who are hurting on the inside and aren’t sure how to get it out.

It’s impossible to stay afloat in the midst of a catastrophic pandemic. It has been psychologically taxing for us; many of us have struggled with depression as a result of work losses, deaths, and the inability to socialise or do things that we enjoy. Meera Deosthale, the lead actress in Udaan, has expressed concern about the rise in mental health problems, especially depression. She’s even telling people to speak up and seek support.

“I’ve seen and seen people who are hurting from the inside out and don’t know how to let it out. The worst-case scenario is that, as we’ve learned during the lockdown, many people have simply committed suicide. It was really upsetting. Many people suffer from mental illness because they don’t have someone to speak to. They don’t know how to deal with it, so some of them resort to violence.

In response to the stigma surrounding mental wellbeing, the actor adds that people in our country are always judged for seeing a doctor or seeing a counsellor. “It’s time to put this thought process to rest. We do need doctors and therapists who will assist us in healing and who will simply listen to us and advise us what to do.

We all go through something at some point in our lives,” she says. Meera considers herself fortunate to have a mother with whom she can discuss everything. She also has a group of friends she can call at any time to chat about her problems.

“They listen and suggest a way out of the situation. They remind me of the fighter that I’m and are compassionate towards me. That’s enough for me to sail through a certain phase and bounce back. But not everyone has that person in their lives. For them we have therapists and counsellors. Like it’s no shame to speak with our parents or friends or relatives, it’s alright to speak to therapists and counsellors too. Don’t think what others may think of you, just help yourself first. When you come out stronger, you can take any challenge and excel,” she concluded.