14 DAY TRIAL // In May this year, “Supernatural” star Jared Padalecki got fans worried by canceling appearance and writing on Twitter that he needed their prayers and his family’s love to get through a personal crisis. The 32-year-old star has been very open about his past struggle with depression and he even founded the Always Keep Fighting campaign to help others in similar situations.
Jared and “Supernatural” co-star Jensen Ackles were at San Diego Comic-Con 2015 last week for a panel for the show. All discussions came to a momentary hold when fans showed their support for Jared by lighting a candle and lifting it up in the air, Us Weekly reports.
Fans show overwhelming support
There isn’t a more loyal fanbase than the “Supernatural” fanbase, it is being said. Though the series never became a phenomenon like, say, “Game of Thrones,” it is one of the most successful programs online, where it has the most engaging and active community of fans.
Many of these fans were in attendance at Comic-Con, at the “Supernatural” panel, so when the moment came for the public Q&A, the room went silent and everyone held up a candle in show of support for the actor’s ongoing battle with depression and his initiative to help others with mental health issues.
“This is so touching and humbling and honoring,” Jared told the fans, completely overwhelmed. “I don't have the proper words to say thank you or how humbled and honored and excited I am and keep it up, guys. Thank y’all so much.”
He also tweeted about this moment, as you can see below. He included a photo of the view from the stage, which, apparently, also got “Star Trek” star William Shatner to reach out and express regret at not having been there.
You don’t have to be alone when you’re struggling with depression
In March this year, Padalecki went public with his struggle with depression in the hope that it would encourage others to do the same and thus get the help they needed.
Speaking with Variety magazine, he explained how he came to understand what was happening to him after having a complete meltdown in his trailer, on the set of “Supernatural,” and how his family was instrumental in getting him through it.
In the same interview, he stressed that there was “no shame” in admitting to suffering from depression or getting help, because there was hope, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. The candles his fans lit up at Comic-Con 2015 represent that light.
View from stage. #ComicCon pic.twitter.com/aIy04Cf6ak
— Jared Padalecki (@jarpad) July 12, 2015
.@WilliamShatner thanks brother. I am still deeply grateful and touched. I don't yet have the words. #AlwaysKeepFighting
— Jared Padalecki (@jarpad) July 13, 2015