Kangana Ranaut's 'depression is a consequence of drug abuse' comment gets 'appropriate' response from Delhi Mental Health Institute

Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, September 26

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Kangana Ranaut’s “depression is a consequence of drug abuse” tweet drew severe backlash. Now, several days after, Delhi’s well-known mental health institute, VIMHANS, called her out for misleading tweet.

A few days ago, Kangana took a sly dig at actor Deepika Padukone, who has been very vocal about her own mental health battles, and said that mental health disorders are usually caused due to drug abuse.

“Repeat after me, depression is a consequence of drug abuse. So-called high society rich star children who claim to be classy and have a good upbringing ask their manager, MAAL HAI KYA?” she wrote on Twitter.

The World Health Organisation defines depression as a common mental health disorder which is very different from mood fluctuations or short term responses to what is happening around you. Depression affects different people differently—in some, it may raise its ugly head in a mild form and for a short duration, while it may be more prolonged and intense in others. In some cases, it can lead to an acute condition requiring hospitalisation and rehabilitation services.

To Kangana’s tweet, Delhi’s VIMHANS, Vidyasagar Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences had the most appropriate response – “Do NOT.”

VIMHANS’ tweet has been retweeted and shared multiple times, with people thanking a premier mental health institution for speaking up and debunking such myths and stigma around mental health.

Do NOT https://t.co/xhofDfCFd5

— VIMHANS Mental Health & Rehab (@vimhansnewdelhi) September 23, 2020

Reactions:

“Depression” is not a Trade Mark word for only NGOs. Anyone can use it in any way they want!

— 🇮🇳 (@ApurvaVaishnav) September 24, 2020

I guess she was saying it for a particular case! The drug chats are from 2017, the same time Deepika emerged with her depression experience. It was a jibe and shouldn’t be taken otherwise.

— Kriti Sharma (@kritish2007) September 25, 2020

Thank-you VIMHANS. Imagine the plight of people with #mentalillness that comes with this misinformation. Anyone humble would apologize immediately. #KanganaRanaut please correct this.

— Ankita Sharma (@ank_s) September 24, 2020

Thank you for so much, this was much needed Kangana has been making a mockery out of this. Very sad, happy that you took this up 👏👏👏👏

— shabnam sheikh (@shabnam51385430) September 25, 2020