In a historic move aimed at strengthening India’s mental health ecosystem, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has appointed actor and philanthropist Deepika Padukone as the country’s first ‘Mental Health Ambassador’. The announcement was made on the occasion of World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2025 in New Delhi.
Deepika Padukone becomes the first mental health ambassador; Promises to build a strong support system
Deepika, who is also the founder of The Live Love Laugh (LLL) Foundation, will collaborate with the ministry to drive nationwide mental health awareness and advocacy. His appointment is an important step by the government towards integrating mental well-being into the broader framework of public health.
Emphasizing the importance of the partnership, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda said, “The partnership with Ms. Deepika Padukone will help widely spread awareness about mental health issues in India, normalize the discussion to reduce stigma, and highlight mental health as an integral aspect of public health.”
Expressing her gratitude and commitment, Deepika said, “I am extremely honored to serve as the first-ever Mental Health Ambassador for the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has made significant progress in prioritizing mental health care. I look forward to building on this momentum and working closely with the Ministry to further strengthen our country’s mental health infrastructure.”
In her new role, Padukone will work closely with the ministry to promote mental health awareness and de-stigmatization across the country. She will also focus on encouraging individuals to seek timely help, supporting preventive care efforts, and promoting access to resources such as tele-mental health support and networking across states. Additionally, she will contribute to designing and implementing strategic interventions that will ensure equitable access to mental health care services for all.
The announcement coincides with a milestone year for The Live Love Laugh Foundation, which has completed a decade of impactful work in the field of mental health. Over the past ten years, LLL has created multiple pathways to care through its flagship Rural Community Mental Health Program, which has provided support to more than 21,931 individuals living with mental illness and their caregivers in 15 districts across eight states.
The foundation has also led several nationwide awareness campaigns, including “Ask Again” and “#NotShamed”, both of which aim to normalize the conversation about mental well-being. Its school-focused program, “You Are Not Alone”, provides mental health education and emotional support to adolescent students, while its “Doctors Programme” enables general practitioners to better address mental health concerns. Recently, LLL expanded its initiatives into the corporate sector with a comprehensive corporate mental health and wellness program.
Through this new partnership with the ministry, Deepika Padukone and her foundation aim to bridge the gap between awareness and action, reinforcing the message that mental health is as important as physical health.
Read also: Deepika Padukone’s hijab is none of your business. Neither was her bikini.
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