Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is known for his tough guy persona — be it in the CFL, WWE or onscreen in flicks like Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle or the upcoming Rampage — but he nevertheless opened up about his battle with depression in a recent interview.
Noting that "depression never discriminates" and encouraging others to speak up ("especially us dudes have a tendency to keep it in"), Johnson shared an interview with The Express via Twitter yesterday (April 2).
In it, he detailed the experience of witnessing his mother's suicide attempt when he was just 15 years old, pulling her back when she walked into oncoming traffic.
Johnson also spoke about his own depression, explaining that his lowest point came after injuries prevented him from pursuing an NFL career. He signed with the CFL, but was dropped after a year. His girlfriend broke up with him around the same time.
"I reached a point where I didn't want to do a thing or go anywhere," he said. "I was crying constantly."
Johnson claimed that finding his calling as a wrestler and then an actor helped him find strength and avoid becoming suicidal like his mother.
"We both healed but we've always got to do our best to pay attention when other people are in pain," he said. "We have to help them through it and remind them they are not alone."
Read Johnson's Twitter message below, as well as some of the responses it's received from fellow athletes and actors.
Rampage is in theatres April 13.
Noting that "depression never discriminates" and encouraging others to speak up ("especially us dudes have a tendency to keep it in"), Johnson shared an interview with The Express via Twitter yesterday (April 2).
In it, he detailed the experience of witnessing his mother's suicide attempt when he was just 15 years old, pulling her back when she walked into oncoming traffic.
Johnson also spoke about his own depression, explaining that his lowest point came after injuries prevented him from pursuing an NFL career. He signed with the CFL, but was dropped after a year. His girlfriend broke up with him around the same time.
"I reached a point where I didn't want to do a thing or go anywhere," he said. "I was crying constantly."
Johnson claimed that finding his calling as a wrestler and then an actor helped him find strength and avoid becoming suicidal like his mother.
"We both healed but we've always got to do our best to pay attention when other people are in pain," he said. "We have to help them through it and remind them they are not alone."
Read Johnson's Twitter message below, as well as some of the responses it's received from fellow athletes and actors.
Rampage is in theatres April 13.
Got tons of responses to this. Thank you. We all go thru the sludge/shit and depression never discriminates. 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
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 2, 2018
https://t.co/ADHjYtGe3k
🙏🏾💪🏾
— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) April 2, 2018
🙏🏻❤️
— Charlotte Flair (@MsCharlotteWWE) April 2, 2018
Good on you man. Always helps to open up and talk about it. You're a great role model for young people. Keep doing your thing! #yourenotalone
— Kyle Okposo (@bookerT2116) April 2, 2018
Wishing you all the Aloha.
— Michael Traynor (@TraynorLand) April 2, 2018
