In the trailer for his new six-part docuseries "Best Shape of My Life," Hollywood superstar Will Smith has shared how he once "considered suicide".
Earlier this year, Smith shared with his 55 million Instagram followers that he was in the worst shape of his life and he intended to do something about it. What followed was a series of videos, which showed the Bad Boys star trying (and failing) to flip a tyre, attempting yoga and coming off second best in a battle with a pec-fly machine.
But what Smith didn't disclose was how getting into shape after 50, and attempting to write a book at the same time, was uncovering emotional and mental scars too.
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"This began as a journey to get into the best shape of my life," starts Smith in a trailer released Friday for "Will Smith: The Best Shape Of My Life." "When I started this show I thought I was getting into the best shape of my life, physically. But mentally, I was somewhere else."
"Now I'm about to show the world, how little I know about myself... What you've come to understand as Will Smith, the alien annihilating MC, bigger than life movie star, is largely a construction, a carefully crafted and honed character designed to protect myself, to hide myself from the world, to hide the coward."
In the trailer, Smith is seen working out and training. One clip shows him sitting at a table surrounded by his family.
"That was the only time in my life that I ever considered suicide," he said. While the actor didn't provide context after making the statement, the video shot to daughter Willow who was emotional about the Will's revelation as well. This has led some people to speculate that these suicidal thoughts are connected to his children somehow.
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Will seems to be more vunlnerable and emotional lately. On Halloween Sunday, coinciding with his daughter's birthday, Will Smith shared a touching video that showed him reading an excerpt from his upcoming book, Will, to Willow about the day she worn.
"This is the (nerve wracking) moment I read my book to @willowsmith for the first time and told the story of her birth 21 years ago," Smith captioned the social media post. "Love you, Bean! Happy Bday!"
In the video, Smith shares how Willow arrived a couple weeks earlier than her expected due date "in dramatic fashion."
"Her due date had been Nov. 11th, which is Trey's birthday," said Smith, speaking of his oldest child, from his first marriage to Sheree Zampino. "But even in the womb, she knew she wasn't sharing no birthday with nobody!"
Smith shared how he was the first person to hold her tiny body, which nearly fit into one hand.
"Her beautiful emerald eyes trying to focus. She couldn't quite see me, but some part of me seemed to know i was hers," said Smith, 53. "She came out, I held her, I gazed in awe at her..."
In light of this suicide confession from Will, here are three signs someone you love may be considering taking their own life.
1. There are Big Changes in What They Used to Do.
This is more than just mid-life crisis stuff. If you’re noticing an ongoing periods of continued sadness, seclusion from friends and family, or decreased interest in activities or social environments, these may all be indicators they are suffering from depression.
They may also show an increase or decrease in their eating or sleeping habits, or their mood may become more aggressive or anxious. This is the time to have a conversation for some nonjudgmental fact-finding.
2. They’re suddenly a daredevil.
Are they taking more risks than they used to? Are you noticing them participating in dangerous, harmful or reckless activities? In Smith's case, he did create a list of "Things He wanted to do Before He Died" when he turned 50. If you’re noticing behavior that could hurt them, including substance abuse, it’s time to speak up.
4. Saying “goodbye.”
This may seem obvious, but often calls or visits to say “goodbye” are dismissed by others as being peculiar but not alarming.
If you experience calls like this or see similar posts on social media bidding farewell, reach out to professionals for help right away.
Giving away favorite belongings may also be an indicator they have given up on life and are preparing to take drastic actions. Call the suicide prevention hotline below for information about how to talk about your concerns.
