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Pakistani celebs are finally opening up about depression

Updated 11 Jun, 2018 11:21am

Images Staff

We're finally having an open discussion about depression in Pakistan but the conversation must lead somewhere

The shocking loss of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain to suicide last week has forced people around the world to confront some hard realities about mental illness. Like the fact that seemingly happy and successful people may suffer in the grips of depression. Or that despite living in the information age, there is little actual awareness about the disease.

The conversation continues in Pakistan, where celebs and other prominent personalities are trying to call attention to the hidden nature of depression and in some cases, open up about their own experiences.

Also read: 7 celebrities who've spoken out about dealing with mental illness

Celebs like Meesha Shafi and Mahira Khan have stressed on the need for more outreach:

Frieha Altaf delivered some cold, hard facts:

Read on: Pakistanis just don't understand depression. This initiative seeks to teach us more

Shahbaz Taseer shared his personal experience of battling suicidal thoughts when he was in Taliban captivity (read the whole thread here):

Armeena Rana emphasised that even people who appear tough can suffer from depression:

Reham Khan provided a reality check — the taboo surrounding and culture leading to depression is tough to break:

Closed | (7 comments)
SevenRiver
Jun 11, 2018 11:21am
Better to do meditation regularly.
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Simi
Jun 11, 2018 12:27pm
Mahira’s tweet though, she begins with, “what is depressing is that...” really Mahira? This is exactly why some celebs should not talk about things they don’t know about or tweet for effect! The word “depressing” is not something to be taken lightly & No! Being depressed is not the same as being disappointed or annoyed or upset!
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ABD USA
Jun 11, 2018 01:28pm
@Simi, I completely agree. The choice of word matters and mostly all of us would use the word 'depressed' to convey disappointment and sadness. Medically the disease is called 'clinical depression'. Depression is an equal opportunity disease, it doesn't distinguish between Rich and poor. Suicide by apparently successful celebrities in the news should really make us think hard about how do we support someone we love is diagnosed of clinical depression. Depression is not a character flaw and no, you cannot just snap out of it using your willpower. And many drug addicts and alcoholics may be suffering from mental illness and they use alcohol and drugs to self-medicate instead of seeing a doctor because of social stigma.
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Jee
Jun 11, 2018 01:34pm
Poor celebs with their depression about having too many material things and not knowing what to do about them. They just cannot connect with the masses on any level. Time to find real life heroes who tackle and overcome real depression on a daily basis to survive.
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munir
Jun 11, 2018 04:31pm
One third of Pakistani population is suffering from various forms of depression as per the latest statistics. Irony is that many of them are not aware of this fact that they are suffering from depression. Aggressive attitude ,intolerance, negative attitude are also the milder forms of depression which mostly people don't know and take it as normal behaviour. These when aggravated, leads to severe from depression.Awareness is the key to solution.
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Osman
Jun 12, 2018 06:24am
Depression is a luxury of a rich.
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Aziz
Jun 12, 2018 02:46pm
They earn in millions, get all the media attention and fame, and then they say that they are depressed as well....
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