Dwayne Johnson has been talking out about mental health and the importance of speaking out about it.
In an interview last week, the actor reflected on previously revealing how he’d suffered depression, saying it ‘doesn’t discriminate’.
The interview, which was aired on ITV morning show, Lorraine, saw ‘The Rock’ open up to Ross King.
You can watch it here:
King praised Johnson on his openness about depression, calling him ‘inspirational’.
Johnson said:
Depression doesn’t discriminate and I thought that was an important part of the narrative.
If I was going to share a little bit of my story of the past, it’s that regardless of who you are or what you do for a living or where you come from, it doesn’t discriminate. We all go through it.
If I could share a little bit of it with people and if I could help somebody, I’m happy to do it.
The key thing that I found was the most important thing about that, talking about my past in terms of depression, is the revelation and for us to be ok and embracing… especially us as guys, as men.
Johnson added:
There’s just a DNA, there’s a wiring in us and a constitution that often-at-times doesn’t let us talk about when we’re scared or vulnerable or things like that. It’s kind of like what’s been deemed as toxic masculinity.
But no, you’ve got to talk about it and you’re not alone. I was an only child and I kept that bottled in, deep, deep. It wasn’t good, so [I’m] happy to share my story.
Of course, The Rock is not the first celebrity to talk about mental health issues.
Celebrities including Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, and Kanye West have spoken publicly about the battles which take place in their own minds.
Laura Mvula and James Arthur are just some of the artists who spoke to UNILAD about their thoughts on mental health:
Clare Scivier, a behavioural psychologist with 20 years experience in A&R, told UNILAD:
The entertainment business is rife with sex scandals, heavy alcohol and drug use. The endless award ceremonies are a great demonstration of the non-stop party culture.
As the work of musicians, actors, and performers is consumed in the public’s spare time confusion occurs and blurs lines between work and play.
Robin Williams, the late, beloved comic, was posthumously diagnosed with diffuse Lewy body dementia, a physical condition his wife later said made him feel he was ‘losing his mind’.
The man who used his talent to make people laugh, famously said:
I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy because they know what it’s like to feel absolutely worthless and they don’t want anyone else to feel like that.
Of course, everybody has, or knows somebody who’s had to face mental health challenges.
UNILAD have petitioned the government to improve mental health services offered on the NHS for young people, who sometimes have to wait ten years from the moment they experience their first symptoms to get adequate treatment.
You can help by signing our petition, in partnership with WHOLE. To find out more about our campaign you can read our manifesto.
If you want to speak to someone confidentially about your mental health and wellbeing, call one of the following numbers: Samaritans – 116 123 , Childline – 0800 1111 (UK) / 1800 66 66 66 (ROI), Teenline – 1800 833 634 (ROI).
