Aamir Khan and Reena Datta’s daughter Ira Khan has just launched a mental health foundation. Called the Agatsu Foundation, it is meant to be a “judgement-free space” where people can get in touch to seek help, and talk to others. There will also be a directory of mental health professionals who will offer the treatment and help needed.
Video credit: Ira Khan via Instagram
Ira made this announcement on her social media by posting a video, in which she said, “On my 21st birthday, I got a tattoo. It says, ‘if we won’t, who will?’ It’s cheesy and corny, I know but I meant it and I mean it. And today is, I think, my first tangible step at embarking or embracing my tattoo. I have registered a section 8 company called Agatsu Foundation, and it launches today. Agastu is my attempt, it’s my way of trying to find a balance, of trying to attain equilibrium to make my life better for me, to facilitate you in making your life better for you, whatever that means for you.”
Image credit: Ira Khan via Instagram
In Agatsu’s introductory video, a lot of celebrities came together to support the cause, including Ira’s stepmother Kiran Rao, and Fatima Sana Sheikh, who has co-starred with her father in several films.
Video credit: Ira Khan via Instagram
The foundation also posted another video explaining what their aim is and what services they offer to aid those battling with mental health issues.
Video credit: Ira Khan via Instagram
Ira has opened up about having depression herself, much like Deepika Padukone
Image credit: Live Love Laugh Foundation
We all remember how Bollywood star Deepika Padukone started a real conversation about mental health by opening up on her own battle with depression. That was probably one of the first occasions when an Indian celebrity publicly spoke about a stigmatised subject like that, unafraid of the consequences. Deepika also went on to start the Live Laugh Love foundation to help others who were also struggling with mental health problems.
The story is similar with Ira, who has also opened up on her mental health issues, especially through videos posted on social media.
Video credit: Ira Khan via Instagram
In April, Ira shared a video in which she wrote, “There are lots of parts to me. This is a conflict between two of them that very seriously affects my attempts at healing from my overall depression. But the burn outs are getting longer so now I have to try harder. The plan is to reduce the frequency and intensity of my burnouts.”
She also posted another video talking about how depression manifests in numerous ways, and can be insidious, “A few weeks ago I started to feel better from burn out, at least I started to regain some stability in my life, and normalcy. And, I was talking to someone and I was like — even now there is a part in me that doesn’t believe, that thinks that I’m overreacting, and it’s because of the way my depression manifests itself. I don’t harm myself, I don’t do drugs, I don’t have loads of coffee, I don’t have immediate threats to my life, that’s not how my depression manifests.”
Video credit: Ira Khan via Instagram
Here’s hoping more celebrities attempt to use their influence to make the world a better place!
Lead image credit: Ira Khan via Instagram, Live Love Laugh Foundation
