Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently opened up about experiencing depression multiple times in his life.
The “Jumanji” actor and former professional wrestler discussed his mental health during an appearance on the podcast “The Pivot.” Johnson said his first experience with depression occurred after a shoulder injury derailed his football career at the University of Miami.
“[I] didn’t want to go to school,” he said. “I was ready to leave. I left school. I didn’t take any midterms and I just left. But the interesting thing, at that time, is I just didn’t know what it was. I didn’t know what mental health was. I didn’t know what depression was. I just knew I didn’t want to be there. Wasn’t going to any of the team meetings. Wasn’t participating in anything.”
The Rock said he became depressed again after going through a divorce from Dany Garcia in 2008. Those first two times helped Johnson identify what was happening when he became depressed again in 2017.
“Years later, around 2017 or so, went through a little bit. Knew what it was at that time,” he said. “And luckily, at that time, I had some friends who I could lean on and say, ‘You know, I’m feeling a little wobbly now. Got a little struggle happening. I’m seeing a little gray and not the blue.'”
The 51-year-old actor said his three daughters were his “saving grace” to help him get through tough times.
“You look at them, and you realize, ‘Well, I mean, really, this is what it’s all about,’” Johnson said of being a father.
The “Black Adam” star promoted the podcast interview on social media.
He wrote in his Instagram post caption, “I’ve worked hard over the years to gain the emotional tools to work thru [sic] any mental pain that may come to test me. But years ago I didn’t know what mental health struggle was,” he wrote. “As men, we didn’t talk about it. We just kept our head down and worked thru it. Not healthy, but it’s all we knew.”
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“If you’re going thru your own version of mental wellness turning into mental hell-ness, the most important thing you can do is talk to somebody,” Johnson wrote. “It can’t be fixed if you keep that pain inside. Having the courage to talk to someone is your superpower. I lost two friends to suicide.”
“Talk to someone. Despite how you may feel, you’re never alone,” he concluded.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a free hotline for individuals in crisis or distress or for those looking to help someone else. It is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.