Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson opens up about secret battle with depression

'The Rock' aka Dwayne Johnson has opened up about his secret battle with depression after witnessing his mother's attempted suicide when he was a teenager.

Telling Express that the incident left him "devastated and crying constantly," the 45-year-old actor spoke candidly about a very difficult time in his life.

"Struggle and pain is real. I was devastated and depressed."

He added, "I reached a point where I didn't want to do a thing or go anywhere. I was crying constantly."

When he was 15, Johnson watched his mother pullover on a highway, get out of the car and walk head-on into oncoming traffic causing cars and trucks to swerve so as not to hit her. A terrified teenage Johnson ran after his mum and pulled her back on to the side of the road, out of harms way.

Sharing details of the traumatising incident to his Instagram followers while shooting a scene for the hit TV show Ballers in February, The Rock wrote, "What's crazy about that suicide attempt is to this day, she has no recollection of it whatsoever. Probably best she doesn't."

Speaking to Express, the former wrestler reflected on his personal post where he revealed the harrowing moment.

"We both healed but we've always got to do our best to pay attention when other people are in pain. We have to help them through it and remind them they are not alone."

Years after his mother Ata had attempted to take her own life and prior to his lucrative success as an actor, Johnson desperately wanted to become a professional football player, however his dream was shattered following numerous injuries.

Signing with the Canadian Football League, sadly he didn't even get to finish out the season and was let go.

His girlfriend at the time then broke up with him not long after.

"That was my absolute worst time," said the Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle star.

Turning to pro-wrestling as a replacement for football, in 2000 Johnson decided to become an actor. However he says that things may have panned out very differently had he not found the strength to continue on, possibly even going down the same path as his mother.

Now worth an estimated US $190 million (AU $247 million), The Rock has been America's highest paid actor for two years in a row and is getting ready to promote his upcoming sci-fi flick Rampage out later this year.

When a fan recently told him that it sounded like he was depressed, The Rock responded, "I hear you. I’ve battled that beast more than once."