In yet another distressing news, TikTok star Siya Kakkar allegedly died by suicide in her Delhi home earlier today. With over a million of following on TikTok and Instagram, Siya was 16 years old and, as reported by her manager, was doing pretty well on the work front. She was also active on both YouTube and Snapchat and was quite popular for her dance videos.
“This must be due to something personal…work-wise she was doing well. I had a word with her last night for a new project and she sounded normal. Me and my company Fame Experts manage lots of artists and Siya was a bright talent. I am heading to her home in Preet Vihar,” her manager Arjun Sarin shared in a media statement.
The reason behind Siya’s suicide remains unknown. The shocking news comes shortly after actor Sushant Singh Rajput died by suicide on June 14. A few days before Sushant, his ex-manager Disha Salian had also committed suicide. Crime Patrol actress Preksha Mehta, another talent from the industry, took her life last month.
While the growing instances of suicides in the entertainment industry point at its elusive nature, it also lays bare the mental health crisis that we face right now. In a discussion on mental health, suicide, and the stigma around it with Deepika Padukone, an expert had recently revealed that “for Indians from the ages of 15 and 39, suicide is the leading cause of death.”
Clearly, words like “anxiety,” “stress,” and “depression” shouldn’t be taken as lightly as they are in our country for when left unattended, they take over your very being and even claim lives. It is definitely high time that we start paying due attention to mental health so that we don’t keep losing our young to despair. Rest in peace, Siya! Our prayers are with you and your family.
If you know anyone around you going through a stressful time or if you need help, talk to your friends and family or get help by calling these helpline numbers:
Aasra: +91 98204 66726
Fortis Stress Helpline: +9183768 04102
Parivarthan: +91 76766 02602
Cooj Mental Health Foundation: +832 2252525
Sneha Foundation: 044-24640050
Featured Image: Instagram
