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Dwayne Johnson: The Rock says support he received after revealing depression battle has been 'overwhelming'

Professional wrestler and actor recently opened up about his issues with mental health

Roisin O'Connor
Thursday 12 April 2018 08:19 BST
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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has said the support he received after opening up about his mental health issues has been "overwhelming".

The professional wrestler, actor and producer recently spoke about how saving his mother from a suicide attempt when he was 15 had sparked his own battle with depression.

"Struggle and pain is real," he told The Express. "I was devastated and depressed. I reached a point where I didn't want to do a thing or go anywhere. I was crying constantly."

His revelation prompted an outpouring of support and praise, with many championing him for challenging stereotypical notions of masculinity and encouraging people to speak out about their own struggles.

Rampage TrailerJohnson has since told BBC Newsbeat: "It was really overwhelming and thousands of people responded. It all started when I helped a man [a fan struggling 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."

He added: "We as men have a tendancy to hold all that in which is not healthy, it's not good. Depression doesn't discriminate so if my past can help then I'm happy to share."

His latest film is Rampage, which is a spin-off of the arcade game, and stars Johnson as a primatologist who prefers animals to humans.

If you have been affected by this story, you can get confidential support from Samaritans on 116 123, or contact the following organisations for support:

https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealth

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

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