Hollywood's highest paid actor has spoken of his secret battle with depression and witnessing his mother's suicide attempt.
The former world wrestling champion was only 15 when his mother, Ata tried to kill herself after they were evicted from their apartment.
Speaking to Express Dwayne Johnson said, “she got out of the car on Interstate 65 in Nashville and walked into oncoming traffic,” adding, “I grabbed her and pulled her back on the gravel shoulder of the road.”
The Baywatch star continued, “what’s crazy about that suicide attempt is that to this day, she has no recollection of it whatsoever. Probably best she doesn’t.”
The 6ft 5in actor went on to encounter other struggles in his young life such as an injury holding him back from pursuing a professional football career and then his girlfriend breaking up with him. “That was my absolute worst time,” he said. “I reached a point where I didn’t want to do a thing or go anywhere. I was crying constantly.”
When a fan recently expressed he was suffering with depression, Johnson replied: “I hear you. I’ve battled that beast more than once.”
Helpful resources:
Pieta House
The Samaritans
Mental Health Ireland
Cover photo via: @TheRock/Instagram
