MUMBAI: Doctors have come up with an anti-suicide booklet, advising how stars and aspiring stars can avoid going the Jiah Khan way. Khan committed suicide in June, leading to introspection in the film fraternity on ways to reach out to those in need of help.

The names and numbers of 15 doctors practising in the western suburbs-where most of the industry lives-feature in the 20-page booklet. "I was approached by filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt after Jiah Khan's death on ways to check the epidemic of suicides in Bollywood ,'' said Dr Yusuf Matcheswalla from Masina Hospital, who worked on the booklet. It will be released by actor Alia Bhatt at a function held on the occasion of World Mental Health Week, on Sunday.

"We can't sit back and watch our near and dear ones kill themselves. This is our endeavor to sensitize our fraternity about various kinds of mood disorders that can have devastating consequences if NOT dealt with in time,'' Mahesh Bhatt said.

Federation of Western India Cine Employees president Dharmesh Tiwari and his team held several meetings with Dr Matcheswalla's team, to work on the booklet. "There are many cases of depression and unhappiness among actors, mainly due to job insecurity," Tiwari said. He said many actors need work or don't get paid in time. "At times, it is difficult for them to maintain their lifestyle. If this booklet helps those suffering from depression, I will be happy," said Tiwari.

The Hindi film and television industry has 1.75 lakh members, said Dr Matcheswalla. "We will initially distribute 700 booklets. The federation is then free to reprint it in various languages,'' he said.

Another industry source said many young girls come to Mumbai hoping to become stars. "Not all manage to do so. Many get exploited by men who promise them the moon but discard them sooner than later. Failure and rejection make them depressed and some end up taking the extreme step," he said.

