The ‘Black Adam’ star also opened up about how his three daughters have been his “saving grace” in those moments.
Dwayne Johnson recently got candid about the bouts of depression he’s undergone throughout his life, dating back to when he was in college.
During an appearance on The Pivot podcast, the Black Adam actor explained that he first felt depressed when he was at the University of Miami, and he injured his shoulder, which kept him from being able to play on the football team.
“I didn’t want to go to school,” he said. “I was ready to leave. I left school. I didn’t take any midterms, and I just left. But the interesting thing, at that time, is I just didn’t know what it was. I didn’t know what mental health was. I didn’t know what depression was. I just knew I didn’t want to be there, wasn’t going to any of the team meetings, wasn’t participating in anything.”
The Moana voice star explained that he wasn’t able to work out due to his injury, which as an athlete, made what he was going through even tougher.
“Years later, I went through it again when I got a divorce. Didn’t know what it was,” he continued. “Years later, around 2017 or so, went through a little bit. Knew what it was at that time, and luckily, at that time, I had some friends who I could lean on, and say, ‘You know, I’m feeling a little wobbly now. Got a little struggle happening. I’m seeing a little gray and not the blue.’”
The actor said that his “saving grace” during his bouts of depression has been his three daughters and “being a girl dad,” sharing, “You look at them, and you realize, ‘Well, I mean, really, this is what it’s all about.’”
Johnson also expressed that he tries to apply gratitude in his life and find the good things, which has helped him through his mental health struggles.