Dakota Johnson has revealed how her boyfriend Chris Martin helped her get out of her depressive state when she was having a “bad day”.
The 34-year-old “Fifty Shades of Gray” actress opened up about her mental health struggles as she was honored for her work against depression at the 17th annual HOPE Luncheon Seminar on Tuesday.
Dakota, who has suffered from depression since the age of 15, revealed her coping mechanism is to “distract” with humor – as she recalled a tell-tale sign Coldplay frontman Chris, 46, needs to look out for.
“I had a bad day a few weeks ago,” she began. “My partner kindly said to me, ‘Are you really having problems?’ I said no.”
“He said, ‘Baby, you’re wearing a Cats T-shirt.’ Like Cats the Musical. Turns out I was really struggling.’
Dakota Johnson was honored for her work fighting depression at the 17th annual HOPE Luncheon Seminar in New York City on Tuesday
The 34-year-old “Fifty Shades” star recalled a recent moment when her longtime boyfriend, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, 46, helped her get out of her depressive state on a “bad day.”
She continued, “But that moment lifted my heart and pulled me out.”
Dakota, who has been dating the British singer since 2017, continued: “I think I talk about depression or anxiety in a very self-deprecating way most of the time.” Maybe it’s easier to look him in the eye if I wear the mask of comedy sluggish.
“Covering up my pain or fear with comedy is a lifelong tool and I don’t think it’s a bad thing.” It works. It helps me because sometimes I cry when I don’t laugh.’
Elsewhere in the speech, Dakota explained, “The biggest thing I’ve learned about depression is learning to come to terms with the fact that there’s never really an immediate answer and there’s never really an immediate end.”
She went on to praise her parents, Hollywood stars Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, for introducing her to the world of therapy at a young age as part of their public divorce in 1996 – Dakota was just seven years old.
“My first experience with therapy was in my early childhood,” the “Persuasion” star said. “My parents, who are quite famous, divorced when I was young. They were wise in understanding that an outsider might be able to help me navigate some of the complexities of my family life.”
Dakota also shared some of the tools she has used to manage her depression and anxiety in the hopes that it might help others.
She began practicing “transcendental meditation” daily, which she described as a key tool for her mental well-being.
She praised her parents, Hollywood stars Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, for introducing her to the world of therapy at a young age
The 34-year-old actress initially felt like she wasn’t worthy of the Depression Advocacy Award – pictured with Audrey Gruss, founder of the Hope for Depression Research Foundation
She then listed therapy, body work such as deep tissue massage, breath work and yoga.
Dakota also praised the power of walking, swimming in “natural waters,” spending time with spiritual people, and “being in true nature and immersing yourself in the true wonder and beauty of Mother Earth.”
She also took time to praise the medications and tools that continue to be developed to help people with depression.
The annual luncheon, which benefits the charity Hope for Depression Research Foundation, was held at The Plaza in New York City and was attended by actress Brooke Shields and Real Housewives of New York star Ramona Singer.
Dakota wore a taupe blazer which she paired with black leather pants and a silky white blouse.
The annual luncheon, which benefits the charity Hope for Depression Research Foundation, was held at The Plaza in New York City
The actress paired a taupe blazer with black leather pants and a silky white blouse
The theme of this year’s event was “Resilience: Emerging Stronger from Life’s Biggest Challenges.”
The annual event attracts over 300 top philanthropists, wealth managers, business and media professionals, celebrities and socialites from New York City.
A press release states: “The event focuses on a specific aspect of depression and invites the most respected psychiatrists and neuroscientists to inform the audience about the latest developments in science and research funded by HDRF.”
“The goal of the HOPE Luncheon Seminar is to raise awareness of depression and related mood disorders and to raise funds for further research.”
Last month, the star celebrated her 34th birthday with a romantic dinner with her boyfriend.
Chris then threw a casual, low-key party for her, which was attended by Leslie Mann, Judd Apatow, Jodie Turner-Smith, Jeremey Allen White and her younger sister Stella Banderas.