Anisha Padukone of LLL is revolutionising mental health in rural India, improving lives along the way.

At She Sparks, Anisha Padukone, the CEO of Live Love Laugh (LLL), discussed how the organisation's rural program has positively impacted 15,000 beneficiaries and 26,000 caregivers across 13 districts in six states. Founded in 2016 by actor Deepika Padukone, the Bengaluru-based Live Love Laugh (LLL) Foundation aims to provide hope to individuals facing stress, anxiety, and depression. Deepika, who has been vocal about her own mental health struggles, advocates for seeking help and treatment. Anisha Padukone, Deepika's sister and CEO of LLL, leads the organisation's efforts in the mental health sector, focusing on bringing meaningful change to marginalised communities.

During the Transform HERS talk at She Sparks, Anisha highlighted LLL's journey over the years and its impact on mental health in rural India. She shared the story of Shashikala, a woman from a village in Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu, illustrating how LLL's intervention led to timely diagnosis and treatment, enabling Shashikala to reclaim her life. Shashikala, who was battling depression and self-harm, struggled to care for her children and faced challenges accessing mental health support in Chennai due to financial constraints. Through LLL's rural program, implemented in partnership with the NGO Vasanth am Foundation, Shashikala received assistance and medication at the nearest primary healthcare centre. She also gained access to government schemes and received financial support to start her own business, contributing to her family's income.

Anisha emphasised that LLL's rural program focuses on three key approaches: providing accurate information and awareness to individuals and families, ensuring access to resources, and making treatment affordable. In Shashikala's case, her mother played a vital role in her recovery, attending support group discussions and advocating for caregiver rights and mental health awareness. Additionally, community workers such as ASHA and Aanganwadi workers receive training to provide mental health information and support to beneficiaries and caregivers, ensuring follow-up and guidance.

Anisha noted that LLL collaborates closely with district administrations to select program locations and beneficiaries, ultimately aiming for community self-sustainability. The program, initiated in Davinder six years ago, has achieved self-sustainability, largely due to stakeholder cooperation.

Overall, LLL's rural model has made a significant impact, reaching thousands of beneficiaries and caregivers across multiple states. Anisha expressed the organisation's commitment to scaling this model further to transform more lives.