Much has been said in the electronic media about Sushant Singh Rajput’s death and the conversation has ranged from the absolutely bizarre to the utterly graceless. This was the primary reason that Sushant Singh Rajput’s therapist finally broke her silence.

In an interview with veteran journalist Barkha Dutt, therapist Susan Walker spoke about how Rajput was living with depression and bipolar disorder and that Rhea Chakraborty was his biggest support.

“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,” she said.

“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,” she added.

Walker also spoke about how she was impressed by the “concern, love and support” that Chakraborty showed towards Rajput. “Rhea took care of his appointments and gave him enough courage to attend, despite his being so fearful that someone would find out,” she said.

Rajput was found hanging on June 14 at his home in Mumbai. Earlier this week, the late actor’s father filed an FIR against Chakraborty accusing her of abetment of suicide.