In a heartwarming show of support, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan recently praised Ira Khan, the daughter of fellow actor Aamir Khan and his ex-wife Reena Dutta, for her new initiative focused on spreading awareness about mental health. Ira Khan, who has been candid about her own battle with depression, launched the "Agastu Foundation" to address mental health issues and promote emotional hygiene.Salman Khan, known for his philanthropic efforts, took to his Instagram handle to share Ira's initiative with his fans and followers. He expressed his admiration, saying, "Kamaal hai yaar bacche bade ho gaye, bade strong ho gaye hain aur bade samaihdaar bhi.... Loved it..god bless u beta (wonderful these kids have grown up. They are strong and intelligent).”
Ira Khan's initiative emphasizes the importance of caring for one's mental well-being, much like how we care for our physical health. In a heartfelt post, she explained, "Growing up, we were all taught how to take care of our bodies—what we should do for daily maintenance to avoid illness and injury. Science has also unraveled what we should do for our minds as a whole. We just haven’t been taught it yet. You may have heard of self-awareness, self-compassion, coping mechanisms, self-regulation, etc. Let’s provide our mind with the maintenance and nourishment it needs, because your mind deserves to be cared for! Try emotional hygiene.”
Ira Khan's journey to advocating for mental health began with her personal experiences. She openly discussed her battle with depression, revealing that she noticed changes in herself about five years ago. While her parents' separation didn't significantly affect her, she acknowledged her family's history of mental health issues.
Ira Khan is the second child of Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta, alongside their son, Junaid Khan. Aamir and Reena, who were married in 1986, parted ways in 2002. Aamir later married Kiran Rao, with whom he has a son named Azad. In 2021, Aamir announced his separation from Kiran, marking another chapter in his personal life.
Ira Khan's initiative shines a much-needed spotlight on mental health in India, where the topic has historically carried stigma. Her dedication to promoting emotional well-being and receiving support from Bollywood luminaries like Salman Khan can only help further the conversation around mental health and encourage others to seek help and support when needed.
As young voices like Ira Khan continue to raise awareness about mental health, the hope is that the society as a whole will become more compassionate and understanding, ultimately destigmatizing mental health issues and creating a more supportive environment for those who struggle with them.
