Actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson says he struggled with depression after watching his mother's attempted suicide and has encouraged men suffering from the disease to open up about their struggles and seek help.
Actor Dwayne Johnson Photo: AFP
"Depression never discriminates," the 45-year-old actor wrote to his 12.7 million Twitter followers. "Took me a long time to realize it but the key is to not be afraid to open up. Especially us dudes have a tendency to keep it in. You're not alone."
Johnson, who is one of Hollywood's top paid stars and is promoting the action film Rampage, told British newspaper Express on Sunday he faced his own demons after witnessing his mother's suicide attempt as a teenager.
"I reached a point where I didn't want to do a thing or go anywhere," the Fast & Furious film star said. "I was crying constantly."
Johnson recounted that he was 15 when he watched his mother, Ata, walked into oncoming traffic on Interstate 65 in Nashville shortly after they were evicted from their apartment.
He said he was able to pull her from the highway but then sunk into several years of depression that were made more difficult by injuries that halted his would-be football career and a breakup with a girlfriend.
"We both healed," Johnson said of himself and his mother, "but we've always got to do our best to pay attention when other people are in pain."
Johnson rose to prominence as a professional wrestler in the 1990s as "The Rock" and has considered entering politics. Forbes has estimated he was Hollywood's second highest paid actor with $65 million in 2017 earnings.
- Reuters
Where to get help:
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
Lifeline: 0800 543 354
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7)
Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz
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If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
