Deepika Padukone puts discussion with WHO Director 'on hold'; Releases statement

With an aim to prioritize mental health during coronavirus pandemic, Bollywood star Deepika Padukone and WHO Director-General Tedros Adham Ghebreyesus had anunced an online discussion on Sunday. Due to 'highly unavoidable circumstances', actor on Wednesday anunced that chat has been 'put on hold until furr tice'.

actor who was diagsed with clinical depression in 2014, said that she would go live on Instagram with WHO chief on 23rd April, Thursday at 7.30 pm IST.

Taking to her Instagram handle, 'Piku' actor released a statement saying, "Hello everyone, I hope all of you are safe and staying indoors! I regret to inform you that due to unforeseen and highly unavoidable circumstances, conversation ‘Prioritizing mental health during pandemic and beyond’ between Dr Tedros Adham Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO and I, scheduled for 23rd April, 2020 has been put on hold until furr tice."

She concluded by saying, "Having said that, mental health is a very real and valid aspect of this pandemic; one that I hope we prioritize and nurture through se unusual times and beyond. Much love, Deepika."

WHO Director-General has mess for Deepika Padukone ahead of collaboration amid COVID-19

Deepika's Deleted Post

"Prioritizing mental health during pandemic and beyond... Join Dr Tedros Adham Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO and I, as we discuss importance of mental health during #COVID19 pandemic and lessons we can learn for future," Deepika shared in a post, which is w deleted.

A year after going public with her diagsis, 34-year-old actor launched Live Love Laugh Foundation to create awareness around mental health. 

What if I get Coronavirus..? anxious calls never stop

Hospitals treating COVID-19 cases, doctors attending on patients and help-lines have been receiving calls of this kind over past few days from anxious and concerned people worried over pandemic. "People go on anticipating worst scenarios, this has to be broken. This is a cycle of concern which will swball into worst preoccupation", a mental health expert told PTI.

Director of National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, B N Gangadhar, who has more than 30 years of extensive experience in field of mental health from both clinical and academic perspectives, termed such concerns as rmal reactions to unusual situations.

(With PTI inputs)