Dwayne Johnson Felt Pressured To Be Closed Off About His Feelings And Mental Health

Dwayne Johnson is quite literally at the peak of his career. The wrestler turned actor is currently the hottest commodity in Hollywood and was even the highest-paid actor of 2019 and 2020.

He recently got candid about how much pressure he has been under for most of his life. He spoke about how he felt he had to be a man and not be vulnerable about his mental health and share his emotions. Read on to find out what else Johnson revealed. 

During a recent interview with E! News, Johnson spoke about how he has learned to appreciate how important it is to talk through his problems. He shared that it was a lesson he learned after years of struggling with his mental health as a young man. 

The former pro wrestler got very open and honest about the pressure he felt to be a man and keep his feelings wrapped tightly and hidden away. The 49-year-old star said, “I grew up an only child and a dude. And you know, it’s not in our nature to just talk about it because it makes us feel vulnerable. 

“We don’t want to feel vulnerable,” he continued, “It makes us feel weak, we shouldn’t feel weak. We should have our s*** together. But that’s not life.” He also shared about his first experience with mental health issues. 

Because of the pressure he felt to be a man and have all his issues sorted out quietly, Johnson said he felt helpless the first time he had his “first bout of depression” in college in the 1990s. 

The “Central Intelligence” star had previously shared that it was a huge hit to his mental health when he got injured while playing football at college and had to take a break. He also experienced another episode of depression when he got cut from his Canadian Football league team and had to deal with a breakup shortly after.

In reference to these incidents, he told E! News that he “just felt like, ‘Man, I feel like s***. I don’t want to do anything.’” He shared that he was constantly crying and that it took a while before he could get his life back in shape. 

Through all his mental health battles, Johnson has realized that one way to get “through the sludge of things” and live a happier life is to confront these feelings, talk through them, and seek professional help. 

During the interview, he said that he is committed to supporting mental health battles and sharing this message through his NBC series, titled Young Rock. The show is inspired by his life and features some of the mental health struggles Johnson experienced when he was younger. 

During one episode, the “Jumanji” actor told viewers, “If you’re going through it and you’re struggling, and you’re depressed, you’re not alone, and it’s OK to ask for help. Asking for help isn’t a weakness. Asking for help is actually our superpower.”

Johnson also shared that he is not just limiting his message to his viewers and fans but also shares the importance of having these conversations with his three daughters, 20-year-old Simone, whom he had with ex-wife Dany Garcia, 6-year-old Jasmine, and 3-year-old Tiana, whom he had with wife Lauren Hashian. 

He did admit that he sometimes acts like a kid, but he learns every day and is now experiencing fatherhood with what he calls a “different energy” in his late 40s. He said, “I can’t speak for all dudes, but for me, when you’re in your 20s, you’re still a baby, still a kid.”

The “Red Notice” actor continued with, “When you’re in your 30s, you’re still trying to figure stuff out. If you get lucky, maybe you’ll figure stuff out in your 40s.” His fans just love how open and honest he is about his mental health and feelings with them.