Seeking help for mental illness is not 'Shameful,' says former actress Richa Gangopadhyay

The sudden and shocking demise of Sushant Singh Rajput is now raising many questions about mental health. People often take mental health seriously. In a country like India, it is still considered a taboo. Unless we talk about our mental pain, there is no way of getting out of it. Depression and anxiety kills us from inside. After the death of Sushant, many actors started speaking about the importance of mental health. Former actress Richa Gangopadhyay, who acted in films like Leader and Mirapakay, said that seeking help for mental illness is not shameful. She took on twitter to explain how to deal with it. Earlier today, Richa tweeted, "When will Indian culture stop stigmatizing mental illness? When will it be taken seriously, instead of judging and labeling? Going to a therapist, counselor, psychiatrist to seek help is NOT shameful."

When will Indian culture stop stigmatizing mental illness? When will it be taken seriously, instead of judging and labeling? Going to a therapist, counselor, psychiatrist to seek help is NOT shameful.

— Richa Langella (Gangopadhyay) (@richyricha) June 14, 2020

"You never know what someone is going through. You cannot just be there for someone during their highs and forget them during their lows. Depression is not the same thing as "being depressed" or "feeling sad". It's all consuming and sucks the life out of you," she further added.

You never know what someone is going through. You cannot just be there for someone during their highs and forget them during their lows. Depression is not the same thing as "being depressed" or "feeling sad". It's all consuming and sucks the life out of you.

— Richa Langella (Gangopadhyay) (@richyricha) June 14, 2020

She concluded by saying, "Be better listeners. Have more heart to heart conversations and being there for your loved ones by showing it through your actions and not just hollow words. Your love and strength might be enough to save someone more than you know."

Be better listeners. Have more heart to heart conversations and being there for your loved ones by showing it through your actions and not just hollow words. Your love and strength might be enough to save someone more than you know.

— Richa Langella (Gangopadhyay) (@richyricha) June 14, 2020

Richa has now quit acting and settled in the USA.