The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Indian government is facing ridicule and criticism on social media following the appointment of Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone as the country’s first-ever Mental Health Ambassador.
The announcement, made by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), stated that Deepika will work closely with the government to develop “strategic interventions for equitable mental healthcare access.”
However, the move has triggered a wave of backlash online, with many netizens mocking the government for choosing a film celebrity over a qualified mental health professional.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote sarcastically: “Could have appointed a qualified and renowned psychiatrist or psychologist for the role, but they chose Deepika. Her qualification is that she was once in depression due to boyfriend issues. By that logic, half of the Indian population was qualified for this role.”
Critics accused the government of prioritizing celebrity influence over expertise, while others defended Deepika’s appointment, citing her advocacy and long-standing work in mental health awareness.
Deepika, who has spoken openly about her own battle with depression, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying: “I am deeply honoured to serve as the first Mental Health Ambassador for the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
"I look forward to working closely with the Ministry to build on this momentum and further strengthen our nation’s mental health framework.”
Deepika Padukone, through her Live Love Laugh Foundation, has been an active voice for mental health advocacy since 2015.