‘Supernatural’ Star Jared Padalecki Speaks Out About Mental Illness

There has been a lot of celebrity activism lately, from Chris Pratt and Chris Evan raising money for Christopher’s Haven and Seattle Children’s Hospital to Arrow star Stephen Amell and his F*ck Cancer campaign that has sold over 60,000 tee shirts to date. Now, Supernatural star Jared Padalecki, who plays Sam Winchester on the hit television show, is rallying for thr fight against the stigma of mental illness.

The 32-year old actor has recently begun working with To Write Love on Her Arms, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping people that struggle with addiction, depression, self-injury and suicide. The company explains themselves very simply, “[To Write Love on Her Arms] exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and invest directly into treatment and recovery.”

Padalecki started a t-shirt campaign similar to Stphen Amell’s with the sale goal of 1000 units and they have been selling fast. The slogan, “Always Keep Fighting” is emblazoned on the t-shirts along with a photo of Padalecki. The shirts launched for sale in support of To Write Love on Her Arms on March 3 and already the campaign has sold over 21,000 units with 7 days left to go of the promotion. Padalecki spoke to People about why he chose the slogan he did.

People who are dealing with depression or addition or suicidal thoughts or mental illness… they’re strong. You’re strong because you’ve been in this fight and you wake up thinking you’re going to beat it again today.

The Supernatural star said that it was because of Stephen Amell’s encouragement with the positive results of his campaign and when Padalecki learned of his friends tragic passing on New Years Day after a long battle with depression, explaining, “I’m not alone, here, and there are so many people out there who have experienced the same thing. I have friends and a life and people I work with and I get a lot of love and support – this campaign is more about those who don’t have as much of a support system as I do.”

Around the world, fans are singing the actors praises after choosing to support the elimination of stigma against mental illness and bring awareness to it through his campaign. Padalecki, along with people all over the world, have used the hashtag #AlwaysKeepFighting to show their support.