Somy Ali: 'I Commend Deepika Padukone And Others Who Have Spoken Up And Taken A Stand For Mental Health'- EXCLUSIVE

Here's what former Bollywood actress, Somy Ali has to say about mental health and the industry speaking about the issue

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Somy Ali: 'I Commend Deepika Padukone And Others Who Have Spoken Up And Taken A Stand For Mental Health'- EXCLUSIVE
Former Bollywood actress Somy Ali, who has featured in movies like Aao Pyaar Karen, Andolan and Teesra Kaun, to name a few, now runs an NGO called No More Tears, which aims to help and support victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking. 

Having worked with the survivors so closely, she feels mental health plays an important role in the development of an individual. In the same context, she credited actress Deepika Padukone for speaking about her depression on a public platform and creating awareness about mental illnesses.  ALSO READ: Somy Ali Says She Was A Misfit In The Film Industry; Adds: ‘I Was Every Director’s Nightmare’

Asked if she feels that people forget to take care of their mental health while taking care of their physical well-being, she said, "Not at all, but there is a deeper issue here, having said that unless and until we eradicate the stigma attached to mental health people will be less likely to seek help. It’s beyond absurd to me that in 2021, we are still afraid to speak up about depression or other mental ailments solely due to the fear of being labeled as an insane person."  ALSO READ: Somy Ali Dedicates A Chapter To Salman | Srk In Breaking Bad | SpotboyEtheshow Episode 61


"Our society needs to get educated and understand that being mentally and emotionally unwell is no different than being diagnosed with a physical ailment. I commend Deepika and others who have spoken up and taken a stand for this issue. It takes a great deal of courage given how quickly negative consequences and labels arise if one speaks their truth," she added.

Somy stressed that mental health signifies one's emotional and social well-being and affects how they think, feel, and behave. She added, "It helps us make healthy choices and how we relate to others. It helps us navigate the daily stresses of our lives, and therefore mental health is important at every stage of our lives, whether it is our childhood, adolescence, or adulthood."

For a healthy mental well-being, she recommends eating right and exercising regularly. She added, "This can significantly help with good mental health and also strengthens our coping mechanisms with stress and anxiety. This has been scientifically proven that working out releases chemicals in our body called endorphins, which trigger a positive feeling in our bodies. However, in several cases when people suffer from serious mental ailments, it is necessary to seek treatment, whether it is a depression or any other psychological disorders." 

"Reaching out for help needs to become a norm and as normal as going to see a doctor for a physical ailment. That’s the direction where I hope to see our society veer towards. This can only be achieved through education and eradicating the ignorant stigmas attached to psychological ailments," Somy concluded.



Image Source: Instagram/realsomyali
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