Actor Vikram speaks out against stigma

The actor was speaking at the launch of Trust Sanmati —Photo: R. Ragu

When the movie, Deiva Thirumagal , featuring actor Vikram as the mentally-challenged Krishna, released, the audience did not see Krishna as someone with a mental condition, but as a father.

“People knew Krishna was mentally challenged, but they empathised with him as a father. I think it is important we stop stigmatising people with a mental problem, and instead see them as a father, mother, son or daughter,” said Mr. Vikram, at the launch of Trust Sanmati–Dr. V. Ramachandran Medical and Mental Health Foundation on Saturday.

“Although we are in an age of modern technology, the stigma associated with mental health has not reduced. It is important to reach out to people in need and support them,” he said.

Speaking on the idea of ‘happiness,’ R. Raghuram, professor and head of psychiatry, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, said in recent years, the field of psychology had been focused on an area called ‘positive psychology,’ and happiness is one of the main focus areas.

“The definition of happiness varies from person to person, and it depends on who you ask, and at what stage of their life you ask them,” he said.

Mohan Kameswaran, eminent ENT surgeon, and musician T.M. Krishna also spoke of their perception of happiness.