Dwayne Johnson Shares Powerful Message On Mental Health: “Check In On Your Loved Ones”
Dwayne Johnson is opening up about something deeply personal: mental health. In honor of World Mental Health Day on October 10, the Red One star, 52, took to Instagram to share a powerful message with his millions of followers, encouraging everyone to check in on their loved ones and, most importantly, themselves.
In a heartfelt video posted on October 10, Dwayne stressed that everyone is battling their own demons, even if they don’t talk about it. “Everybody is fighting demons, and a lot of people keep it in,” he said. “…I learned that, in many cases, the hard way over the years.”
For Dwayne, checking in with others goes beyond asking the typical “What’s wrong?” Instead, he suggests a more heartfelt approach.
“So when I check in with my friends, I don’t check in and say, ‘Hey, what’s wrong?’ I check in and say, ‘How’s your heart? How are you feeling?’” Johnson shared, adding, “And you’d be surprised what that means to people.”
The actor, known for his tough exterior in films, was candid about his own mental health struggles. He revealed that just a few weeks ago, he had a particularly difficult day, waking up on a sunny day but feeling “gray” inside. Although he’s accustomed to being on his own as an only child, he admitted that “consistent loneliness” caught up with him. By the end of the day, he found himself reaching out to friends for support.
Dwayne’s message was clear – don’t wait to check in on those you care about. “So just a reminder to check in on your friends. Check in on your loved ones because when you don’t… I’ve lost friends over the years who decided to check out and just couldn’t handle the stress and the pressure of life.”
He also emphasized the importance of self-care, encouraging his followers to reach out for help when needed. “If you need help, reach out to people. It doesn’t make you weak… That’s your superpower.”
Dwayne has been open about his mental health journey over the years, including facing multiple bouts of depression. Earlier this year, on The Pivot podcast, he shared how he once didn’t even understand what a mental health struggle was. Over time, he’s worked hard to develop the emotional tools to cope with mental pain.
The actor revealed that his daughters — Tiana, 6, Jasmine, 8, and Simone, 23 — have been the “saving grace” for his mental health, and he takes great pride in being a “girl dad.”
