Fans surprised Supernatural star Jared Padalecki at Comic-Con on Sunday, July 12, by lighting candles in the audience—7,000 of them–as a thank you for opening up about his struggles with depression and as a tribute to his Always Keep Fighting campaign that supports people struggling with depression, self-injury, addiction, or suicidal thoughts.
In the third season of Supernatural, Padalecki broke down in his trailer after shooting an episode. A doctor diagnosed him as clinically depressed at that time. He was 25-year-old.
According to a June 2015 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, close to one in 10 American men suffers from depression or anxiety, but fewer than half get treatment. The poll of more than 21,000 men also found that among younger males, blacks and Hispanics are less likely than whites to report mental health symptoms.
More than 39 percent of the men under 45 years of age said they had either taken medication or visited a mental health professional for daily anxiety or depression during the prior year. This put these younger men roughly on a par with the estimated 42 percent of “older men” (those 45 and up) who said they had done the same.
Very important piece. Many suffer in silence. As a 44 year old male I’m proud to have sought treatment. I encourage others to speak out and seek help.
Thanks, Patrick. I appreciate that.
Some men feel that depression makes them less of a man..Its hard