Healing Out Loud: Sid Mallya on Mental Health, Rejection & Reinvention

How Sid Mallya turned vulnerability into purpose—and why speaking up about mental health is a strength, not a stigma.

Why one man’s honesty is helping others find the courage to speak up.

We’re often told that talking about our struggles is the first step to healing—but how often do we really believe it? In a culture where silence is mistaken for strength, especially among men, it takes courage to go against the grain and say, “I’m not okay.”

That’s exactly what Sid Mallya did.

In this powerful episode of The AboutHer Show, timed during Mental Health Awareness Month, Sid Mallya opened up about his emotional journey—one that took him from being in the public eye for who he was supposed to be, to reclaiming his identity on his own terms. With vulnerability and honesty, he shared how writing his memoir If I’m Honest and creating the emotional self-awareness tool Sad Glad became pivotal steps in his healing—and a way to help others begin theirs.

This conversation isn’t just about mental health. It’s about self-acceptance, courage, and using your platform—big or small—to make a difference.

Meet Sid Mallya

Sid Mallya is an actor, producer, author, and mental health advocate. Known initially for his connection to a prominent Indian business family, Sid has stepped into his own light by choosing to tell a different kind of story—one of emotional struggle, inner work, and personal growth.

His memoir, If I’m Honest, is an unfiltered account of his mental health journey, where he unpacks the highs and lows of growing up under constant public scrutiny, grappling with anxiety, identity, and self-worth. In addition to the book, Sid created Sad Glad, a simple but powerful tool designed to help people—especially men—check in with their emotions and begin cultivating emotional literacy.

Together, these works form the foundation of a personal mission: to break the stigma around mental health and remind others that healing begins with truth.

Key Takeaways from the Episode

Speaking Up to Help Others

Sid didn’t choose to speak out for attention or sympathy—he did it because he knew how isolating the silence could be. He shared how he kept things bottled up for years, believing that vulnerability was a weakness. Eventually, the weight became too much to carry alone.
“All of us have the power to make a difference, but I don’t think enough people actually believe that,” he said.

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This belief shaped his decision to open up—first in therapy, then through his memoir. He wanted to show that it’s okay to ask for help. His honesty, he hopes, can be the nudge someone else needs to begin their own healing journey.

Writing If I’m Honest: A Deeply Personal Process

When asked about the most difficult part of writing his memoir, Sid admitted that reliving the past wasn’t easy. Putting words to his emotions and patterns required introspection and bravery. But it was also profoundly liberating.

“It felt like emotional detox,” he shared. “Every chapter brought things to the surface that I had either ignored or misunderstood about myself.”

The memoir is more than a collection of personal stories—it’s a mirror. And for anyone reading it, it offers an invitation to reflect on their own emotional truths.

Sad Glad: A Simple Start to Emotional Awareness

One of the most unique tools Sid introduced during the episode was Sad Glad—a two-word emotional check-in exercise he created to help people tune into their feelings. Based on his own journey with emotional regulation, Sad Glad encourages users to pause, identify what they’re feeling, and write it down.

It’s deceptively simple but surprisingly effective. In a world where emotional vocabulary is often underdeveloped, especially for men, Sad Glad offers a starting point for conversation—with oneself, and eventually with others.

Navigating Rejection and Reinvention

Working in the entertainment industry isn’t easy. For someone already dealing with anxiety and self-doubt, the constant cycle of auditions and rejection can take a toll. Sid spoke openly about how he once allowed external validation—or the lack of it—to define his worth.

Therapy helped him untangle that belief system. He learned to separate rejection from identity, and to find fulfillment in the process, not just the outcome.

“You have to build yourself from the inside out. Otherwise, the world will always make you feel like you’re not enough.”

To Young People Navigating Social Media

One of the most thoughtful parts of the conversation was Sid’s advice to young people—especially those growing up in the age of curated lives and comparison traps.

“Social media is a highlight reel. But life is made up of behind-the-scenes moments, and those are just as valid.”

He urged listeners to take care of their mental health the same way they care for their appearance or academics. Check in. Speak up. Reach out.

Listen to the Full Episode: Click here to listen on Spotify

Also Read: Charting Her Own Path- Kalyani Chawla on Power, Purpose & Perseverance

💬 A Quote to Carry With You

“All of us have the power to make a difference, but I don’t think enough people actually believe that.”

— Sid Mallya, The AboutHer Show

Sid’s story is a reminder that sometimes, sharing our story becomes someone else’s survival guide. He came forward not because he had everything figured out, but because he believed that even one honest conversation could spark change.

Join the Conversation

Whether you’re someone navigating your own mental health journey, or someone who wants to support a friend or loved one, this episode is a must-listen.

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💬 Tag us @abouthermag and tell us what stayed with you

Let’s keep talking. Let’s normalize the messy, beautiful, emotional process of being human. And as Sid Mallya reminds us—let’s start by being honest.