“I was crying constantly” - Dwayne Johnson Speaks Up About His Depression

Main image via Rolling Stone

He may look like the toughest man on earth, one who wouldn’t be swayed by anything, but ultimately, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is just human. In a surprising twist, the wrestler-turned-actor revealed that he used to suffer from depression in his teen years.

In an Instagram post, The Rock spoke about an incident in which a 15-year-old him saved his suicidal mother’s life. He then went on to explain the deep impact the event left on his own mental health.

 

Not your typical scene on our comedy #ballers, as I cracked a beer open toasting my character’s brother, William who committed suicide. Got me thinkin’ though bout how many of us have been affected by suicide of our friends, family. Struggle and pain is real. We’ve all been there on some level or another. My mom tried to check out when I was 15. She got outta the car on Interstate 65 in Nashville and walked into oncoming traffic. Big rigs and cars swerving outta the way not to hit her. I grabbed her and pulled her back on the gravel shoulder of the road. What’s crazy about that suicide attempt is to this day, she has no recollection of it whatsoever. Probably best she doesn’t. Shits of a scene to shoot - didn’t like it - but it did reminder that we always gotta do our best to really pay attention when people are in pain. Help ‘em thru it, get ‘em talkin’ about the struggle and remind ‘em that they’re not alone. We got lucky that day when I was 15 and that ain’t always the case.

A post shared by therock (@therock) on Feb 1, 2018 at 12:45am PST

“Struggle and pain is real. I was devastated and depressed. I reached a point where I didn’t want to do a thing or go anywhere. I was crying constantly,” Dwayne told The Express after his posting on Instagram.

He went on to explain that he could have easily turned suicidal like his mother, but “we both healed but we’ve always got to do our best to pay attention when other people are in pain. We have to help them through it and remind them they are not alone.”

Many people expressed their support and appreciation for Dwayne for opening up on a rather stigmatised topic, especially when men are the ones suffering.

Come rain or thunderstorm, we’ve got your back Dwayne… and anybody else who needs it.

If ever you’re lonely, in distress, in despair or having suicidal thoughts, please call Befrienders KL at 03-7956 8145.