Views on Freedom of expression from Tisca Chopra, Karan Tacker, Sarah Jane Dias, Kirti Kulhari and Divya Khosla Kumar

Freedom is birthright and expression of feelings comes along with it, commemorating on this during the celebration of India’s Independence Day, celebrated actors like Tisca Chopra, Karan Tacker, Sarah Jane Dias and Kirti Kulhari attended and discussed on an important topic covering the effects on ‘spike on mental health and depression’ at the Doc Plus event bringing in fresh insights and perspectives for the attendees.

According to Divya Khosla Kumar “We, especially women, face social stigmas in various spheres of our lives. There are several initiatives that work towards eradicating these stigmas and stereotypes, the stigma of depression is one that is yet to be addressed. I personally have noticed that when it comes to a mental illness, and I mean under-confidence issues, depression, trauma and insomnia, people refrain from medical assistance. We seek doctors to be physically fit and healthy, why don’t we do the same for mental illness? India has the maximum untreated cases of depression, and for that to go unnoticed is sheer negligence. This will affect the youth of our country, the mothers of the country as well as the progress of the country! Let’s stand together and fight this. There is nothing to be afraid of, no taboo or a mere comments will affect you, as long as you have someone on your side. That someone will be me, that someone will be DocPlus”

Indian Women have topped the charts… of the most depressed! The estimate of the global burden of disease predicts that depression will be the second-leading cause of disability worldwide by 2020. And India has the maximum number of cases that’s gone underdiagnosed and untreated cases. We are aware of mental illnesses but the stigma has been an insurmountable hurdle keeping us Indians far from seeking medical assistance.

The celebrities discussed on an important topic covering the effects on ‘spike on mental health and depression’ at the DocPlus event bringing in fresh insights and perspectives for the attendees

Tisca Chopra spoke on how depression has become a silent killer says “The common belief in Indian households is that if they don’t talk about something for long enough, it will go away. Needless to say, it won’t, it doesn’t and what’s worse, is that it haunts generations to come. Depression is real and it’s spreading like a virus, claiming lives every minute that we chose to ignore it.”

Kirti Kulhari commented ” Stop brushing depression under the carpet. People dealing with it must be supported in every way possible. This initiative by DocPlus magazine is such a positive step in freeing people from the stigma attached with mental illness. Depression can get to anyone and there is no reason one should hide the fact, early signs and preventive measures can be vital in snipping it at the bud. So let’s talk and be supportive. This 15th August I stand with DocPlus Magazine’s initiative to free India from the stigma related to depression and taking definite steps to free India from it.”

Karan Tacker expressed “I think its a very befitting day to speak about stress, cause that’s the one thing I would want to get freedom from …and I am glad that Doc Plus has taken this initiative to address and eradicate mental illness and I am honored to be a part of this discussion.”

Sarah Jane Dias said “The common belief in Indian households is that if they don’t talk about something for long enough, it will go away. Needless to say, it won’t, it doesn’t and what’s worse, is that it haunts generations to come. Depression is real and it’s spreading like a virus, claiming lives every minute that we chose to ignore it.”

Mustafa Burmawala highlighted ” Depression is an issue a lot of people dismiss or brush under the carpet but its a grave problem and people dealing with it must be supported in every way possible. This initiative by DocPlus magazine is such a positive step in.”

After decades of Independence and technology at our disposal we refuse to let depression get the better of us, today we can be the revolution. We are the change we want to see – so let’s talk, let’s pledge and let’s embrace Freedom of Expression!

As per DOC PLUS, Asia’s Number 1 Doctors’ Magazine commented ” we have sworn to free India from the stigma related to depression and other mental illnesses. Pledging support to DocPlus’ magazine’s novel initiative are renowned medical practitioners and lm celebrities, who are reaching out to the people of India to accept and embrace, the Freedom of Expression. This independence day we seek freedom from depression through public education, early detection, organized national mental health programs, comprehensive management, with a judicious utilization of the limited resources that would tackle the rising number of cases.”

All of the attendees expressed the importance of freedom at this Doc Plus event along with the commemoration of the Independence Day on 15th August 2017, at the Taj Lands End in Mumbai.