Sushant Singh Rajput's Therapist Says Actor Suffered From Bipolar Disorder And Rhea Supported Him

Susan Walker Moffat, a counsellor in Mumbai claiming to be Sushant Singh Rajput's therapist, decided to speak up on the late actor's 'mental health'. Talking to journalist Barkha Dutt on Mojo Story, Susan Walker Moffat disclosed that Sushant Singh Rajput was suffering from bipolar disorder and that it was Rhea Chakraborty who helped him deal with his illness. It is to be noted that the therapist is disclosing all this without any proof and also without the permission of the patient's family. Susan Walker Moffat is also not a medical doctor, as per reports.

Susan Walker Moffat apparently decided to speak up after seeing the stigmatised way in which depression and mental illness is being spoken about in discussions on Sushant Singh Rajput's alleged suicide on June 14, 2020.

"In light of the misinformation and conspiracy theories currently raging on social media about Sushant Singh Rajput and Rhea Chakraborty, I have decided it is my duty to make a statement. In my capacity as a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, I met Sushant and Rhea on several occasions in November and December 2019 and communicated again with Rhea in June of this year," said Susan Walker Moffat in a recording sent to Barkha Dutt.

Moffat continued, "Sushant was suffering from bipolar disorder, a severe mental illness that can be crippling for an individual during an episode. The symptoms of which can include severe anxiety, major depression and sometimes disordered thinking and paranoia. The continuing, appalling stigma around mental illness makes it very difficult for patients and their families to reach out. This has to stop. Mental illness is no different than cancer or diabetes. It can affect anyone, regardless of class, financial status and so on. In a way that cancer can."

Emphasising on the need to change the conversation around mental health, Moffat said, "People with mental illnesses and their families need to feel safe from discrimination so that they can get their treatment and support and acceptance they need. There is no shame in having a mental illness. Should one feel ashamed of having cancer? Mental illness can be treated, it is often the shame of having such an illness that can drive people to suicide. Along with the absolute torment of being in the grip of an illness that affects the ways out minds and emotions work."

"Sushant was suffering terribly during his bouts of depression and hypomania. Rhea was his strongest support. From the first time I met them as a couple, I was impressed by the degree of concern, love and support she showed. It was very evident how close they were. Rhea took care of his appointments and gave him enough courage to attend, despite his being so fearful that someone would find out," Moffat continued.

ALSO READ: Ankita Lokhande Breaks Her Silence On Sushant Singh Rajput's Death, Refutes The Depression Narrative

"When he was severely ill, he depended on her as somewhat of a mother figure and she completely filled that role with love, encouragement and patience. It was an incredibly hard time for her as seeing someone suffer through the cruelty of mental illnesses of family members. They need to keep it a secret and bear things in silence, an added trauma. The treatment that Rhea has received on social media is deeply shocking to me as I have only ever experienced her as deeply caring and sensitive person. Sushant's sad and untimely death needs to be yet another lesson for us all in ending of (the) shame and stigma around mental illness," she concluded.

Sushant Singh Rajput was found hanging in his apartment on June 14. His father Krishna Kishore Singh has filed a first information report (FIR) against Rhea Chakraborty and others, alleging them of abetment of suicide, as well as fraud and theft, among other charges.

ALSO READ: FIR Against Rhea Chakraborty Alleges She Defrauded Sushant Singh Rajput, Threatened Him

Worried about your mental well-being or of someone you know? Help is just a call away. Reach out to the nearest mental health specialist at COOJ Mental Health Foundation (COOJ)- 0832-2252525, Parivarthan- +91 7676 602 602, Connecting Trust- +91 992 200 1122/+91-992 200 4305 or Sahai- 080-25497777/ SAHAIHELPLINE@GMAIL.COM