Actor Jared Padalecki has spoken out about his mental health struggles and said he considered taking his own life. The “Supernatural” star confessed during a recent interview that he checked himself into a private mental health facility in 2015, fearful of the growing power of his suicidal thoughts.
The 41-year-old also addressed the cancelation of his new show, “Walker,” saying it was extremely tough to deal with, but he found comfort with his wife, children, and friends. In a social media post confirming the cancelation, Padalecki encouraged those experiencing challenges to pursue support and find someone to talk to. “Seek help, open up,” he wrote.
The actor’s psychological and emotional problems first surfaced during the filming of the third season of “Supernatural.” He sought aid from a doctor who told him he was suffering from clinical depression, which Padalecki struggled to reconcile with, saying he could not understand how someone with such a good life could feel so low.
Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, is defined as a severe sadness that is not connected to life’s events or derived from a physical source. It is characterized by intense feelings of hopelessness or emptiness that result in frequent angry outbursts or frustration, even over minor issues or problems. Sufferers also lose interest in life, struggle to sleep or eat, and lack energy and enthusiasm.
The World Health Organization estimates that 280 million people – or 5% of the world’s population – suffer from clinical depression. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that around 21 million American adults, or over 8% of the population, had at least one major depressive episode in 2021. Furthermore, 60% of people who exhibit depression symptoms never seek out professional help, even though experts say medication and counseling are vital in helping people recover.
Additionally, growing percentages of young people are becoming depressed, with figures showing a jump from 12% of 12-17-year-olds treated in 2015 to 16.9% in 2020.
