For generations, mental illness was treated as a hidden wound – suffering in silence, spoken of in whispers. Society misunderstood those in psychological distress, labelling them as “mad” and unworthy of care. However, individuals across history refused to accept this silence. They believed that the mind is a part of the body that deserves care and treatment. From early reformers to modern advocates, they transformed mental health from a hidden taboo into a visible part of human dignity. Their courage helped replace shame with understanding, care and conversation possible for all.
Read More: Understanding the Rights of Persons with Mental Illness: A Guide to Dignity and Equality
The First Break in the Chain – the Reformers of Humanity
In the past, mental illness was poorly understood and surrounded by shame. But two compassionate reformers, Philippe Pinel in France and Dorothea Dix in the United States, chose to be kind. They fought to free patients from their chains and worked on transforming society’s view of mental health.
1. Philippe Pinel
Philippe Pinel, after the French Revolution, began his work in Paris. He introduced scientific observational methods to understand mental health. The new approach was he classify different conditions and focus on the patient’s condition. His most memorable act was removing chains from asylum patients. This became a dramatic symbol of reform. Pinel rejected the idea that mental illness was a moral failure. His work helped establish psychiatry as a medical field and shifted the focus from punishment to proper treatment.
2. Dorothea Dix
In the 19th century, Dorothea Dix fought for people with mental illness. She found them living in terrible conditions in jails or poorhouses. Dix presented powerful statements to the state government and demanded clean, well-run hospitals with proper human care. Her work led to the creation of over 30 mental hospitals. She changed the goal of care from hiding people away to keeping them with compassion and care. Their impact was much more than institutional reform; they transformed society’s perspective on mental illness. It was no longer seen as a moral flaw but as a health issue that requires treatment and compassion.
Read More: Understanding Mental Health Governance in India
The Thinkers Who Made the Mind Visible
1. Sigmund Freud
In the 20th century, Freud gave language to the hidden human mind. He proposed that the unconscious thoughts, memories and emotions shape human behaviour. He aimed to bring these hidden struggles into conscious awareness through his method of talk therapy. This helped to relieve distress. His work transformed mental health from a simple set of symptoms to a story of development and trauma, making the invisible depth of the mind a fundamental part of understanding human dignity.
2. Aaron T. Beck
He revolutionised mental health care by proving that working on one’s thoughts can heal the mind. He developed cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which focuses on identifying how negative thoughts can lead to distress. This evidence-based approach made mental illness visible and treatable. Beck’s work gave patients and practitioners hope, directly combating mental illness by framing it as a manageable condition. Their work provided the foundation for seeing the mind not as a mystery, but a part of life that can be understood and healed.
Read More: Reframing Negative Thoughts for a Positive Life
Public Figures Who Spoke Up – Turning Fame into Power
- Lady Gaga: She made mental health visible by publicly speaking about her struggles with PTSD. showing that such challenges are not harmful. Her transparency turned personal pain into public conversation, encouraging others to speak openly and seek help, thereby normalising mental well-being.
- Deepika Padukone: She broke a deep cultural silence by publicly speaking about her own clinical depression. Her openness, followed by the Live Love Laugh Foundation, made mental health a legitimate topic in India. She inspired millions to see mental health not as a hidden shame, but a part of the human condition that requires care and support.
- Shaheen butt: She made mental health visible by openly sharing her long journey with depression. She challenged the cultural rule of dealing with such issues silently. By sharing her experience, she broke the silence for many. Helping others overcome the stigma and take a powerful step towards healing.
- Selena Gomez: She openly spoke about her therapy and emotional struggles. This transformed topics like diagnosis and self-care from private shame to public conversation. Her honesty showed people that mental health issues are a common human experience and not something to hide.
- Ira Khan: She brought mental health into the spotlight by openly discussing her clinical depression. Despite being a figure from a high-profile family, she shared her experience and challenged the expectation of silence. This transformed private struggle into a source of public awareness, showing that mental health issues are a universal reality.
Keeping the Movement Alive
The work of those who made mental health visible much now continues – through the choices we make as individuals, families and communities. The fight against stigma continues through everyday actions. Everyone can help keep the movement alive.
- Speak openly and listen without judgment
- Prioritise mental health education
- Provide easy accessible mental health care
- Using a digital platform to spread awareness
- Practice self-care
Mental health visibility relies on these small choices. Every empathetic action helps break the chain of stigma.
Conclusion
The journey towards mental health acceptance is far from complete, but the old silence is gone. This began with reformers freeing patients and grew into a worldwide call for empathy. The people who made mental health visible collectively proved that acknowledgement is the first step towards healing. Their courage turned private suffering into public support. Today, this legacy lives on. Every situation that replaces shame with support carries the movement forward. Making mental health visible is no longer a task for a few. It is a shared duty for us all.
FAQs
1. What does “making mental health visible” mean?
It means bringing mental health out of the shadows of stigma and silence. For centuries, mental illness was hidden or treated with shame, but reformers, thinkers, and public figures began to speak about it openly. Making mental health visible involves acknowledging that emotional and psychological well-being are just as vital as physical health.
2. How have modern public figures helped fight stigma?
Celebrities like Lady Gaga, Deepika Padukone, Shaheen Bhatt, Selena Gomez, and Ira Khan used their platforms to normalise conversations about mental health.
- Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation promotes youth wellness and kindness.
- Deepika Padukone founded The Live Love Laugh Foundation after her own battle with depression.
- Shaheen Bhatt, Selena Gomez, and Ira Khan spoke publicly about their struggles, proving that vulnerability is strength
References +
ABC News. (2016, December 5). Lady Gaga writes about her “daily” struggle with PTSD. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/lady-gaga-writes-daily-struggle-ptsd/story?id=44034814
Beck, J. S., & Fleming, S. (2021, June 18). A brief history of Aaron T. Beck, MD, and cognitive behaviour therapy. Clinical Psychology in Europe, 3(2), e6701. https://doi.org/10.32872/cpe.6701
Born This Way Foundation. (n.d.). Our mission. https://bornthisway.foundation/
Cherry, K. (2025, October 16). Sigmund Freud’s life, theories and influence. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/sigmund-freud-his-life-work-and-theories-2795860
Dodds, A. (2021, April 13). Selena Gomez on life with her little sister and her mental health. Vogue. https://www.vogue.com/article/selena-gomez-on-life-with-her-little-sister-and-her-mental-health
IANS. (2021, December 17). Shaheen Bhatt speaks out on her struggle with depression. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/features/shaheen-bhatt-speaks-out-on-her-st ruggle-with-depression/articleshow/88341608.cms
Kendler, K. S. (2020). Philippe Pinel and the foundations of modern psychiatric nosology. Psychological Medicine, 50(16), 2667–2672. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291720004183
Parry, M. S. (2006). Dorothea Dix (1802–1887). American Journal of Public Health, 96(4), 624–625. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470530/
Swachh India NDTV. (2022, October 10). World Mental Health Day 2022: Mental illness not only urban issue, it chooses not to spare anyone – Deepika Padukone. NDTV. https://swachhindia.ndtv.com/world-mental-health-day-2022-mental-illness-not-only-urban-issue it-chooses-not-to-spare-anyone-deepika-padukone-71848/
The Live Love Laugh Foundation. (n.d.). About us. https://www.thelivelovelaughfoundation.org/
The Times of India. (2024, November 8). Throwback: When Ira Khan opened up about her struggle with depression. The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/throwback-when-ira-kha n-opened-up-on-her-struggle-with-depression/articleshow/106503848.cms
