Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson says the support he’s received since opening up about his mental health struggles has been “phenomenal”

Some may think, how can Hollywood’s highest-paid star be struggling? But mental health affects us all, including The Rock.

Earlier this month, Dwayne Johnson revealed in an interview that he too has experienced pain and suffering. “Struggle and pain is real. I was devastated and depressed,” he said.

Throughout his career he has battled depression many times, he revealed. “I reached a point where I didn’t want to do a thing or go anywhere. I was crying constantly.”

In London this week for the premiere of his new movie Rampage, The Rock told Newsbeat of the “phenomenal” response he’s received from fans since speaking out.

“It was really overwhelming and thousands of people responded,” he said.

His story came out following him speaking with a man who was fighting his own with depression. “I said, ‘hey, you’re not alone, we all go through it’.”

“One of the most important things that I know helped me with the multiple times that I had gone through my own episodes of depression, was making sure that I was talking to people.”

“We as men have a tendency to hold all that in which is not healthy. It’s not good” he told Newsbeat. “Depression doesn’t discriminate so if my past can help then I’m happy to share.”

So, how does Dwayne Johnson deal with sadness?

One in four people will experience a mental health problem each year, with mixed anxiety and depression being the most common mental health problem in Britain. If you are struggling, know that help is available and you’re not alone. Visit Counselling Directory.

Talking about mental health isn’t easy, but it really can make a difference. According to Time to Change, 60% of people said they felt better once they started talking about their problems, saying they felt “relieved” and “like a weight had been lifted”.

Read more about The Power of Talking.

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