Indian celebrities like Deepika Padukone have time and again opened up about their battles with depression and the importance of raising awareness about these issues. Recent incidents include Robin Uthappa who spoke about his struggle with depression during his early cricket days and actor Arjun Bijlani who talked about depression in showbiz and how social media added to the pressure.
As per a report in HT, singer Yo Yo Honey Singh opened about his dark phase of alcoholism and depression and revealed how Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan were supportive towards him while he underwent treatment for bipolar disorder. He mentioned how Deepika, who underwent a similar phase in her own life understood him and also referred his family to a Delhi-based doctor.
Talking about his battle with mental health issues further, he continued, “It was a very bad phase. A lot of people were jealous of me, of how such a young boy could achieve so much. There were other issues. I became an alcoholic as well. I couldn’t sleep, I was overworking. And slowly, this illness became worse. It took me around four months to even realize that something was wrong.”
Talking about his alcoholism, he revealed that his alcohol addiction in turn took a major toll on his mental health. He expressed his struggles on not being able to sleep at nights and how it almost took him 3-4 months to not only understand the crises he was going through but also accept it.
“We changed four or five doctors, changed medication, and I knew that I couldn’t be drinking while I was undergoing treatment. I knew it would be bad for me,” he said. Dainik Jagran reports that his condition soon worsened which compelled the rap artist to take a 2-year-long break from his music career.
Honey Singh decided to speak up about this issue rather than brushing it under the carpet as he believed an artist is nothing less than a mirror to his audiences. He explained, “It was a dark phase, and I don’t think there’s any point in hiding it. That’s my message to all my brothers and sisters out there; don’t hide this. People used to ask me where I was for a couple of years. And I felt it was important to tell my fans about myself — I was unwell, now I’m better.”
He said he took responsibility to inform people about his health whenever they asked him ‘where he had disappeared for two years’.
Dismissing rumors about going to rehab on account of drug addiction, he exclaimed, “You wouldn’t believe it, but I didn’t leave my house for a year-and-a-half. People are frustrated because of the lockdown, but I’ve already survived one!” He was treated at home with his family and friends’ support who ‘prayed for him’ when he felt unwell, News18 reports. This was alleged during the time he had produced one of his biggest hit songs titled ‘Dheere Dheere’ starring Hrithik Roshan.
If you require mental health support or know someone else who does, please reach out to your nearest specialist. Helplines:-
- Aasra: 022 2754 6669
- Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050
- Sanjivini: 011-24311918
We appreciate people coming forward with their stories as it helps reduce the stigma around these issues. Kudos to him and everyone else who has been brave enough to share their struggles and seek help. What do you think? Tell us.