Interview with Sidhartha Mallya: Exploring Emotions Through 'Sad Glad'

Following the success of his memoir, If I'm Honest: A Memoir of My Mental Health Journey, Sidhartha has turned his focus to promoting emotional understanding in children. In addition to being an author, he is an entrepreneur, public speaker, and actor known for his versatility in various films and television projects. His passion for acting complements his advocacy work, allowing him to raise awareness about mental health issues through creative storytelling and charitable initiatives. In our conversation, he shares his inspiration for writing Sad Glad and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and embracing all emotions—an essential message for readers of all ages.

Sidhartha Mallya

Q: ‘Sad Glad’ beautifully captures the complexity of children's emotions. What inspired you to write a book for children about emotional awareness and mental health?

Sidhartha Mallya: I wanted to continue spreading awareness about mental health, and the best way to do this was through a children's book.

Q: You experienced challenging emotions as a child, especially after your parents divorced. How much of Sid's journey in the book reflects your own experiences?

Sidhartha: All of it. The Sid in the book is based on myself as a child. It's also a reflection of how I feel as an adult because, even though I have done so much work on myself and in the mental health space, I still need to remind myself from time to time that it is okay to feel all the emotions that we feel!

Q: In the book, Sid's dog, Duke, plays a crucial role in helping him navigate his feelings. What message do you hope to convey about pets' role in supporting children's mental well-being?

Sidhartha: I think anyone who has a pet knows how important they are when it comes to well-being. The unconditional love that a pet provides can be a great comfort to all who might be going through something.

Q: Mental health can sometimes be a difficult topic for parents to discuss. What tips would you give parents who want to support their children's emotional development but don't know where to start?

Sidhartha: I am not a parent, so it would not be right for me to start advising parents! However, I think the best way we could support anyone, be it a child or an adult, is by simply listening to them in a non-judgmental way and letting them know they are not alone.

 Q: Your book encourages children to embrace all emotions—both the positive and the challenging ones. Why do you believe it is important for children to understand that no feeling is "bad"?

Sidhartha: Again, I can only speak for my own experience, but what I found is that if you start to label things as 'bad,' then you can begin to feel guilt or shame for feeling them.

Q: With growing concerns about children's mental health globally, what broader role do you think books like ‘Sad Glad’ can play in reducing the stigma around mental health issues?

Sidhartha: I think by teaching children that it's okay to feel all their emotions, we can help them be more open about the things they might go through later in life. The more open people are, the less stigma there is.

Q: Finally, as a mental health advocate, what message do you want parents and caregivers to take away from ‘Sad Glad’ on World Mental Health Day?

Sidhartha: Remember that it's okay to feel all the feelings and emotions that exist in this lifetime. This isn't just for the children but also for the adults who might read the book.

Through Sad Glad, Sidhartha Mallya invites children and adults alike to acknowledge and embrace the complexity of emotions, reinforcing the vital message that all feelings are valid. This World Mental Health Day, let's commit to fostering emotional awareness and understanding in our children.