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Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Talks Battling Depression After His Mother’s Suicide Attempt

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Talks Battling Depression After His Mother’s Suicide Attempt
Dwayne Johnson attends a movie premiere on Dec. 7, 2017, in London.
Samir Hussein via Getty Images
Dwayne Johnson attends a movie premiere on Dec. 7, 2017, in London.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is not afraid to open up about his battle with depression.

“I reached a point where I didn’t want to do a thing or go anywhere. I was crying constantly,” the actor recently told British tabloid the Express.

Johnson, 45, said that when he was just 15 years old, his mother, Ata, attempted suicide right in front of him. He said that to this day, his mother does not remember trying to kill herself.

“She got out of the car on Interstate 65 in Nashville and walked into oncoming traffic,” he said. “I grabbed her and pulled her back on the gravel shoulder of the road.”

The professional wrestler-turned-action star said that although he and his mother have both moved on from that painful time, they use the experience as a reminder to be kind to other people.

“We both healed but we’ve always got to do our best to pay attention when other people are in pain,” he told the Express. “We have to help them through it and remind them they are not alone.”

Johnson and his mother, Ata, attend the HBO
Aaron Davidson via Getty Images
Johnson and his mother, Ata, attend the HBO

Johnson retweeted the story on Sunday, writing in part: “We all go [through] the sludge/shit and depression never discriminates. Took me a long time to realize but the key is to not be afraid to open up. Especially us dudes have a tendency to keep it in. You’re not alone.”

A fan thanked Johnson on Twitter, telling the actor that his words “will help a lot of people.”

True to form, Johnson responded with a ton of love and support: “Hey man I get it. We all go thru the sludge and shit. Stay strong and make sure you’re talking to good people about it. Us men have a tendency to hold it in. No shame in getting help and wanting to be better.”

If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also text HELLO to 741-741 for free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.