My Sister Has Battled Depression Since She Was 12: Alia Bhatt

Shaheen Bhatt recently spoke about her battle with depression.

Shaheen with Alia Bhatt. 

(Photo courtesy: Instagram)

Alia Bhatt’s sister and Mahesh Bhatt and Soni Razdan’s elder daughter Shaheen Bhatt penned a moving essay in Vogue, talking about her fight with depression in the wake of the shocking deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. While she had spoken about it earlier on social media, this is the first time Shaheen has recounted a very personal battle. “It could have just as easily been me ,” she wrote.

I’ve lived with depression since I was 12 years old and since then I’ve been suicidal on more than one occasion. I’ve experienced the sheer terror of contemplating a life filled with unrelenting anguish, and I’ve been consumed by the terrifying thought of having but a single means of escape from a bleak, unbearable future.  

Shaheen Bhatt (in <i>Vogue</i>)

Shaheen emphasised the need to carry on the conversation around depression because only then would the stigma around it disappear. And more people would seek help rather than ending their lives.

Every day that we shy away from the subject, someone plunges further into their depressive hole, isolating themselves and believing they’re freaks. Every minute that we continue to stay silent we lose one more person to the horrors of depression and suicide. Every second that we choose comfort over reality we fail another Anthony and another Kate. Talking about depression is no longer an option, it’s a matter of life and death. &nbsp;

Sister Alia Bhatt tweeted in support of Shaheen, lauding her courage and encouraging awareness about depression.

As did Mahesh Bhatt.

(Inputs: Vogue)