Video: Teary-eyed Saheefa Jabbar shares struggle with mental health

Renowned model and actor Saheefa Jabbar Khattak opened up on Instagram about her struggle with mental health and how it brought her close to suicidal thoughts.

In an emotional video, she opened up about the vulnerability of her mental state, attributing it to personal struggles and the heavy burden of recent happenings in the world.

The ‘Beti’ actor Saheefa desired this world to be a more compassionate and fulfilling place in her caption, “I wish nothing but this world to become a better place, I want to see more smiles & lesser tears, I want to see homes not just the buildings, I want kids playing fearlessly in the playgrounds, I wish to have hearts filled with peace, gratitude & love. I want the warmest long hugs not the formal bland shake hands. Every human deserves happiness & safety in every capacity. I wish one day we learn to live together sharing amazing recipes & cultures.” 

In a heartfelt video Saheefa emphasised the crucial role of compassion and understanding in supporting those who reach out for help.

With glistening eyes, she said, “I have always felt that this world isn’t a kind place. I have always felt that we can be kinder or I have always felt that we can use friends who will turn out good friends. I will not name the person, but I told somebody the previous night that I am being suicidal and I might do something to myself. And that friend took forever to come home. Anything could have happened in those few hours when my friend could not reach.”

The ‘Teri Meri Kahani’ actor argued that when someone goes public about their mental health, it is often misconstrued as attention-seeking, it rather suggests a lack of support and confidantes in their lives, leaving them feeling helpless and alone.

“The world has become such a weird place that when people turn their camera on to talk their heart out people say in the comments that they are acting. They think it is the best way of seeking attention.”

“Turning your camera on and then talking about it is not easy, it is the weakest form of you. It is like anything can happen and you think it doesn’t matter what the world will think about you,” Saheefa said while sobbing.

“The most helpless form of yourself that you are compelled to admit publicly is that you need help,” she added. 

Amidst the turmoil of world events and witnessing heart-wrenching photos and videos on social media, the actor expressed that everything contributes to a sense of disillusionment with the world.

She explained, “Whatever is happening around the world is very disturbing and it is very traumatising. It is very painful and I would really want things of that sort to end very soon. It doesn't matter how many times I try to ignore it and keep posting my own content and keep swiping up to avoid that kind of content. I generally feel that the world has become a chaotic place. It has really become a place where people are generally not kinder.” 

She concluded by saying, “I hope this world becomes a better place. I really hope that whatever is happening which is not nice does not happen anymore.”