‘We’re taught to bury our feelings, but we all struggle,’ says EastEnders star Aaron Thiara

EXCLUSIVE: EastEnders actor Aaron Thierry, whose PTSD storyline has captivated audiences, says mental health is still taboo in the South Asian community.

eastenders star Aaron Thiara, 33, rose to fame in 2022 as the villain Ravi Gurati in the serial, and featured in a powerful story that completely enthralled the audience.

wolverhampton born ectoR’s character was recently diagnosed with Complex PTSD (CPTSD) and, after several breakdowns and an attempt to end his life in earlier episodes, Ravi is shown receiving treatment in a mental health facility.

here, like Ok! met him in mind x Ricky Hatton Foundation At a charity auction in London on Thursday she shared her thoughts on mental health taboos in the South Asian community and the under-16 media ban…

Tonight is about men’s mental health. Why was it so important for you to be here?

To continue the conversation. In 2026 we all know that the conversation needs to be proactive to move this forward. Stigma, whether it’s in the South Asian community or for men of a certain age in general, can make us feel like we have to live up to expectations. But through conversation, we can continue to realize that being vulnerable and feeling like a failure is not a weakness.

Do you think it’s important that people talk openly about this in public?

I think so too. And let’s be honest, I’m just a normal guy, right? Who is doing a certain work. But I used to be someone who wasn’t in the public eye, right? So growing up, as a teenager, as a young adult, if I see people in the public eye talking about something that maybe I’m feeling or experiencing, it makes you feel seen. So it feels important, like… a duty of care.

You mentioned the South Asian community. How has your background influenced the way you deal with mental health?

You could argue that it’s a responsibility because I can’t hide my skin color, I’m Asian, so people feel like, maybe I represent something. I don’t feel a responsibility to represent it. I’m a human being like everyone else, regardless of culture. In my area, in our community, it feels taboo to talk about mental health struggles.

It’s not something you talk about; It’s something you bury. Take it back 50 years, and it was reinforced by this aspect of coming to Britain, starting a new life, getting on with it, staying strong. So within the community, I think we can all start to accept that it’s okay to not be silent. You can talk.

What are your thoughts on the under-16 social media ban?

This is the best thing, and it took a long time! I use social media only for business. I just pray that the investment is in community services. They can’t get rid of social media and then invest. They have to do something for these children. I mean, social groups, play groups – chat to people, play a bit of football, go home after dark, like I used to do!