At Rising 2024, Anisha Padukone, at the helm of the Live Love Laugh Foundation, shared insightful perspectives on the mental health landscape in India and globally. Her session, titled “Breaking Barriers, Driving Impact,” underscored the pressing need for mental health awareness, the role of technology in mental health care, and the critical importance of building a supportive ecosystem in corporate environments.
The Foundation’s Mission
The Live Love Laugh Foundation, initiated by Deepika Padukone in 2015, emerged from a personal journey through mental illness. With Anisha Padukone leading the charge, the foundation aims to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health by promoting awareness, improving accessibility to mental health resources, and making mental health care affordable. The foundation’s work is encapsulated in three pivotal areas: Awareness, Accessibility, and Affordability, addressing the dire need for a comprehensive approach to mental health care in India.
Mental Health in the Corporate Sphere
The corporate sector, characterized by high-stress environments, has witnessed an alarming rise in mental health issues, with India reporting the highest rate of burnout. Anisha’s dialogue at Rising 2024 highlighted the significant impact mental health challenges have on businesses and the urgent need for corporate environments to foster mental wellness. Through a hands-on audience engagement, Anisha demonstrated a keen interest in corporate responsibility towards mental health, advocating for a paradigm shift towards more empathetic and inclusive workplace cultures.
Technology’s Double-Edged Sword
Technology plays a dual role in the realm of mental health. On one hand, it offers valuable tools such as helplines and chatbots, providing anonymity and accessibility to those hesitant to seek face-to-face help. On the other hand, excessive screen time and digital dependency have been identified as contributing factors to mental health deterioration. Anisha’s nuanced take on technology’s role emphasizes the importance of careful implementation and the irreplaceable value of human connection in mental health treatment.
Empathy and Inclusion
A striking aspect of Anisha’s presentation was her focus on empathy and inclusion, pivotal in addressing mental health issues effectively. Through the powerful “Dobara Poocho” campaign, the foundation has set a precedent for initiating open conversations on mental health, urging individuals and corporations alike to take proactive steps towards understanding and supporting those struggling with mental health issues.
Conclusion
Anisha Padukone’s participation at Rising 2024 not only illuminated the path towards destigmatizing mental health but also called for a collective effort to integrate mental wellness into every aspect of society, especially the workplace. Her message is a clarion call to break barriers and drive impact, encouraging individuals, corporations, and technology innovators to join hands in making mental health care accessible, affordable, and stigma-free for everyone.
