--- description: Actress Deepika Padukone revealed she was diagnosed with clinical depression in 2014 and why the stigma around mental illness needs to end. title: Actress Deepika Padukone Opens Up About Depression Struggle image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt395e67a4c43111d1/69893c3d86f68e17b56ea616/deepika-padukone-depression-awareness.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Newsfeed](/tag/time-section-newsfeed/) ## Newsfeed Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Deepika Padukone Opens Up About Struggle with Depression and Why She's '#NotAshamed' of Mental Illness  by [Cady Lang](/author/cady-lang/)  ## Cady Lang Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Oct 10, 2018 3:31 PM CUT  NEW DELHI, INDIA - OCTOBER 5: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an exclusive image of Hindustan Times) Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone during a first day of Hindustan Times Leadership Summit (HTLS) 2018 at Taj Palace, on October 5, 2018 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Sanchit Khanna/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) NEW DELHI, INDIA - OCTOBER 5: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an exclusive image of Hindustan Times) Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone during a first day of Hindustan Times Leadership Summit (HTLS) 2018 at Taj Palace, on October 5, 2018 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Sanchit Khanna/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)Hindustan Times—Hindustan Times via Getty Images  by [Cady Lang](/author/cady-lang/)  ## Cady Lang Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Oct 10, 2018 3:31 PM CUT Actress [Deepika Padukone](http://time.com/collection/most-influential-people-2018/5217557/deepika-padukone/ "undefined") shared her [struggle with depression](http://time.com/5253569/deepika-padukone-time-100/ "undefined") in a powerful message on Instagram on Wednesday, in honor of [World Mental Health Day. ](http://time.com/5418190/world-mental-health-day-india-vatwani/ "undefined") In a video posted to her account, Padukone discusses being diagnosed with clinical depression in 2014 and the need to destigmatize mental illness. In 2014, I was diagnosed with clinical depression,” Padukone said. “But in India, 90 per cent of people who suffer from depression don’t seek help. Depression is like any other illness that requires intervention.” Padukone is now encouraging others to feel free to share their stories about mental illness without stigma, by using the hashtag, #NotAshamed. Since her diagnosis, the actress has been involved in actively spreading awareness about mental illness, including founding the Live Love Laugh Foundation to promote mental health care. See Padukone’s posts about mental health below. As for America, clinical depression diagnoses have spiked since 2013, according to a 2018 [report by Blue Cross Blue Shield](http://time.com/5271244/major-depression-diagnosis-spike/ "undefined"). 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