“Supernatural” star Jared Padalecki has been open and honest about his battle with depression over the years, but now, for the first time, he’s opening up about how extreme has battle has been.
Jared opened up about something he’s never shared publicly before on Tommy DiDario’s “I’ve Never Said This Before” podcast. A clip of the episode was shared exclusively with PEOPLE prior to it’s release date which is set to be released on June 25, 2024.
On the podcast, Jared opens up about something that happened to him almost a decade ago. He shared, “It was 2015, I had a really low moment.” He continued, “I was letting my thoughts take over and going to places of dramatic suicidal ideation. I called my wife and she said, ‘Get home.’”
You heard that right. He said “suicidal.” Thankfully, his wife, Genevieve Padalecki, was there to support him and help him through his mental health struggles. Jared explained, “I got home, went to a clinic for a couple weeks and looked into it and haven’t been suicidal since — not for a moment.”
Not only did Jared share that he had been at an extremely dark place, but he also shared what caused him to get to that point. He explained, “I had spent 15 years in this industry. You go to an audition or on a red carpet and they don’t want, ‘Jared, how are you doing today?’ ‘Oh today was rough, I didn’t sleep.’ They want, ‘Oh it’s great! Excited to be here!’ So I had done that for so long, trying to focus on what’s best for the person who’s talking to me as opposed to just being honest.”
Jared added that he’s proud of seeking help for his mental health, and he encourages others who are struggling to do the same. He said, “It’s not like I’m shameful like, ‘Hey, I see a therapist, I’ve been to a clinic’. I wear it proudly. I put it on my face and tell everybody. If you’re not in a situation where you need that degree of help then don’t seek it. I needed a surgeon — not literally — but I needed it and here I am.”
While Jared is no longer suicidal, he admits that he does have good days and bad days. For example, on the day he spoke on the podcast, he shared that it was “a low.” He was sad about “Walker” being canceled, but at the same time, he was also grateful for that positive things in his life. He shared, “Today’s a hard day. It’s been a hard month since we found out, but I’m in a great place with my wife, our children, my friends, my family.”
Jared urged anyone listening to make sure they seek help if they are struggling with their mental health and definitely not to try to hide it. He said, “Please be open, please share, please find somebody whether it’s a friend or professional. Speak the truth.”
Watch the video below to hear more about Jared’s battle with depression and his “dramatic suicidal ideation.”
