Actor Deepika Padukone has been appointed as the first-ever Mental Health Ambassador of the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The announcement came on World Mental Health Day (October 10).

The actor took to Instagram to share the update, posting a photo with Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Punya Salila Srivastava. In her caption, she wrote,

“On World Mental Health Day, I am deeply honoured to be appointed as the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s first-ever Mental Health Ambassador.”

She added, “Led by our Hon. Prime Minister @narendramodi, our nation has taken meaningful steps to place mental health at the heart of public health. Through my own journey and work we’ve done at @tlllfoundation over the past decade, I’ve seen how much is possible when we come together to build a mentally healthy India.”

Deepika also said she looks forward to working with JP Nadda and the ministry “to strengthen India’s mental health framework further.”

Her husband and actor Ranveer Singh reacted to the post, commenting, “So proud of you 👏🏽 ❤️.”

Deepika has been one of the most prominent voices in India’s mental health conversation. After speaking publicly about her battle with depression, she founded The Live Love Laugh Foundation in 2015 to raise awareness and support those facing mental health challenges.

On the film side, Deepika was last seen in Rohit Shetty’s “Singham Again”, featuring Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Kareena Kapoor, and Arjun Kapoor. The film earned ₹372 crore worldwide.

Recently embracing motherhood, Deepika will next be seen in Shah Rukh Khan’s “King” and Allu Arjun’s upcoming film directed by Atlee.