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Mahira Khan has opened up about her struggles with mental health, particularly the “dark” times when she was fighting depression. The actor also urged everyone feeling depressed to seek professional help.

In a recent appearance on Aamna Haider Isani’s podcast Inner Star, Khan said it was easy to talk about mental health on the surface but difficult to delve deeper into. Recalling the time she was “really, really, really depressed” the superstar said she was unable to register people telling her how incredible her life was.

“That’s not what you say to someone because it’s a disease. It’s a chemical imbalance. And I’m not saying there aren’t triggers to it, but depression and all other kinds [of mental health issues] whether it’s bipolarity or manic depression, these are all diseases. They have medicines and treatments for it.”

She revealed that when her condition was really bad, medication helped her the most, followed by her support system in which she included God. Khan said that she would continuously pray and that, in her dark times, her best friends, family and son would not leave her.

“I think that’s very, very important, the support system is very important,” she said.

The Humsafar actor also emphasised that it was necessary to openly talk about issues such as depression which have a shame attached to it, highlighting the benefits of finding a support group of people who have dealt with similar issues. She added that she wasn’t aware that one could find people if they started opening up.

“I’ve had so many people come up to me and say thank you, and ask me, ‘What did you do, who did you go to?’. The amount of people I’ve sent to different therapists and psychiatrists is insane.

“I think it’s important to detach shame from mental health and talking about it. I think it’s important that if you’re suffering and you’re in pain, you go see somebody. You must take help because there is help and there’s good help over here.”

Khan said that after an individual was back on track, it was important for them to realise the things that triggered them, adding that she was a very vulnerable person who still got hurt. When asked by the host if she could pinpoint her triggers, Khan said she could.

Loving yourself

As she touches 40, the Raees actor is inspired by the likes of Bushra Ansari and Atiqa Odho for thriving, looking after themselves and “blooming” even after fulfilling their motherly duties.

“I don’t know where that [reinventing yourself] comes from, I think it has to come from love for yourself. When you like yourself, you will think about yourself, you will say, ‘Can I take this break? Can I take this girls’ trip?’ Happy markers.”

Khan said that for her, music and travelling were happiness markers, adding that she travelled more after her marriage to Salim Karim. She maintained that before her marriage, she would only take vacations with her son Azlan and never understood how to take time off.

“There was no such thing as holiday [but] ever since I’ve known Salim, his friends are regular travellers. They would travel rather than buy a car.”

Khan travelled a lot with her friends and finally understood the value of a break. She also urged women to partake in whatever brought them joy, be it “gardening, cooking, watching dramas.”

“I get immense joy from working, it keeps me healthy and happy, and that is something that I would tell women as well, whatever it may be, whatever gives you joy, do it. I like eating alone because that to me is joy, food and watching a show I like, that is joy and I love it.

“Whatever gives you joy, do it, take it up. There is no age,” she assured.