Fame and success usually come with brutal pressure and expectations where only the strongest survive. Here are eight Asian celebrities and corporate honchos we tragically lost to mental health problems.

By Deepika Khurana

Every time a celebrity or a high-profile personality commits suicide, it brings issues related to mental health and depression into the limelight. The question we end up asking ourselves is, “Why would they want to take their own life when they had everything in terms of wealth, fame and skills?”

Whether it is depression, past traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, or something else altogether, mental illness like any other disease, is a battle that must be confronted. Sadly, not everyone can overcome the pain that weighs down on them.

Here are eight Asian celebrities and CEOs we tragically lost to mental illness:

VG Siddhartha, Founder and Owner of Cafe Coffee Day

The story of CCD owner VG Siddhartha is a reminder to millennials that the seemingly rich and successful can also fall prey to stress and depression if not addressed on time. If only he had sought external help at the right time, his life could have been saved. In situations like these, it is very important to go for counselling, medical treatment and unburden oneself.

Vineet Whig, COO of South Asia at Encyclopaedia Britannica

Whig took his life by jumping from the 19th floor of his society’s building in Cyber City, Gurugram in 2016. A suicide note recovered from Whig’s pocket stated that he was under a lot of stress. It was reported that he took the extreme step as he was fed up with his life.

Jiah Khan, Bollywood Indian Actress

The 25-year-old Bollywood actress committed suicide by hanging herself at her residence in Mumbai. Her death left entire Bollywood fraternity shocked as the bubbly star gave in to death due to depression and a failed love life.

Angad Paul, Businessman and Film Producer

The son of India-born Britain-based businessman Lord Swraj Paul plunged to death from his penthouse in central London in 2016. The CEO of Caparo Industries took the step after the company went into administration and many jobs were lost, following which he was overcome with depression.

Jeon Mi-Seon, South Korean Actress

Jeon Mi-Seon (48) best known for her supporting roles in films including “Mother,” Memories of Murder,” Hide and Seek,” and “Bungee Jumping of Their Own” was found dead in a hotel in Jeonju.

Her manager, who raised the alarm after Jeon had gone missing for two days, revealed that the popular K-drama star had been suffering from depression. Local media reported that she was found hanging in the bathroom of her hotel room.

According to police records, Jeon had been largely depressed owing to the death of a family member besides her mother’s ill health. She had been the lead actor in a South Korean film “Love is a Crazy Thing” that was released in 2005.

Kimi Qiao Renliang, Chinese Actor and Singer

Qiao took his own life after a long battle with depression. The 28-year-old actor and singer was best known for roles in television shows, such as Tiny Times 1.0 and Legend of Lu Zhen. He had worked in more than 24 films released over the past eight years.

Qiao’s death left the young star’s fans devastated and brought into limelight the broader tragedy of mental illness and depressive disorders that remain largely out of sight in modern China, with potentially disastrous effects.

Pratyusha Banerjee, Indian Television Actress

When popular television actress, Pratyusha Banerjee, best known for playing Anandi on the TV show, Balika Vadhu, was found dead in her Mumbai home by committing suicide, it once again opened the debate on depression. It was reported that the actress was distressed over her failed relationship and financial pressures made it difficult for her to survive.

Leslie Cheung, Hong Kong Actor, Popstar and Director

The suicide of King of Canto-pop Leslie Cheung shook Hong Kong and left his fans devastated as the news of the pop idol’s death had spread. He was diagnosed with depression and according to the sources his suicide note was not addressed to anyone. Instead, it began with the word ‘depression’.