Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the former wrestler turned Hollywood superstar, recently spoke candidly about his struggles with depression during a podcast interview with The Pivot. The Jumanji star revealed that he dropped out of school during his university days, admitting “I didn’t want to go to school.” He went on to explain that at the time, he wasn’t aware that he was depressed and didn’t have any knowledge of mental well-being.
Johnson also shared that he struggled with depression again when he got a divorce, saying “Years later, I went through it again when I got a divorce. Didn’t know what it was.” However, he credits his daughters as a source of hope and calls them his “saving grace” during his periods of depression. “You look at them, and you realize, ‘Well, I mean, really, this is what it’s all about,'” he said.
The 51-year-old actor shed light on the fact that men are taught to go through tough times alone and keep things to themselves. However, he encourages men to talk about their mental struggles and not suffer in silence. He cited the loss of two male friends to depression and suicide as a reminder of the importance of seeking help and support.
“Hopefully, this gives you guys out there who have been through it, you’re going through it now, you’re struggling, you’re trying to get out of it, you’re trying to get your footing, you’re trying to understand what this is all about, maybe this gives you a little bit of comfort,” Johnson said. “The key is to not be afraid to talk about it, and more importantly, you’ve got to remember that you’re not alone.”
Johnson’s interview sheds light on the importance of mental health and seeking help when needed. It serves as a reminder that even the most successful and strong individuals can struggle with mental health issues and that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
