Actor Deepika Padukone on Tuesday received the Crystal Award at the 50th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland for spreading awareness about the importance of mental health. She addressed the audience after receiving a Crystal Award from Hilde Schwab, Chairwoman and Co-Founder of the World Economic Forum’s World Arts Forum.
The actor first opened up about her battle with depression in an interview with NDTV in 2016. The ‘ Live Love Laugh Foundation’ was created by her to spread awareness about fighting depression and spreading the awareness about mental health. The foundation organizes training sessions, research and lecture series that feature some of the most known thinkers and achievers.
“Depression is a common medical illness. It is important to understand that anxiety and depression are like any other illness and are treatable. Acceptance is the first step to recovery. It was the experience with this illness that encouraged me to set up Live Love Laugh,” she said.
“Mental illness has presented us all with a very tough challenge, but in my love-hate relationship with the illness has taught me much. To be patient for one, that you are not alone, but most importantly that there is hope.”
She ended her speech with these words, “For in the words of Martin Luther King, everything that is done in this world is done with hope.”
Theaster Gates, Jin Xing, Deepika Padukone and Lynette Wallworth were named 2020 Crystal Award recipients.
This year’s theme is ‘Stakeholders for a cohesive and sustainable world’. Actor Priyanka Chopra too will be speaking on how to end poverty in the forum.
Image reference- Pinterest, Instagram
