‘He was going to be the first boy to play in the English Premier League’: Parmeet Sethi recalls son’s battle with depression after a career-ending injury; how parents can recognise early signs

The second injury was devastating. “It was just not a fracture, a rod had to be inserted. His entire one year was wasted… After his injury, they said he won’t be able to reach the same level as other boys. So, he had to let go off that dream and come back,” Parmeet shared. The loss of his athletic identity at such a formative age took a toll on Aaryamann’s mental health. “He was a kid, riding on a high and then suddenly came back to earth, thinking, ‘What shall I do with my life now?’ It was a horrible phase. But hats off to him for getting out of it. He got into music, which gave solace to his soul… Slowly, he got out of it, and now he has come into his own, he is happy and doing great.”

The actor also reflected on the close-knit bond within their family that helped them navigate that period together. “We as a family are very hands-on, very close… Whenever something happens, we talk it out, we advise and try to pull up the other person, that has always been an endeavour.”

What kind of emotional or psychological responses are most common, and how can parents recognise early signs of depression?

Gurleen Baruah, existential psychotherapist at That Culture Thing, tells indianexpress.com, “It can be deeply unsettling. The teenage brain is still developing, especially the parts that handle decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. So a loss like this can hit them more intensely. It may show up as anger, frustration, withdrawal, or even self-blame. There’s no one single way it appears. Sometimes it’s silence, sometimes it’s irritability/anger.”

As parents, she adds that it’s important to observe without jumping to conclusions. Notice changes in sleep, eating, energy, or mood. If they stop doing things they once enjoyed or seem emotionally flat, it’s a sign they may be struggling. The key is to stay available and make them feel safe enough to share what’s really going on.

How creative outlets or new interests can play a role in rebuilding self-esteem 

When someone loses a part of themselves, Baruah notes, creative outlets can help them slowly reconnect with who they are beyond that loss. These activities bring the person back to the present moment, where healing often begins. 

“In therapy, I often see how immersing fully in something creative can calm the nervous system and quiet the mind. Over time, when such activities are done regularly, people don’t just move on; they slowly grow into new versions of themselves,” says Baruah.