Actor Daniel Radcliffe has spoken candidly about his journey with mental health, saying there were periods in his life when he felt "deeply unhappy", particularly in his younger years.
Speaking at a panel with Project Healthy Minds following a performance of his Broadway play Every Brilliant Thing, Radcliffe reflected on how much his outlook has changed over time. "There have been times in my life when I have been deeply unhappy, particularly when I was much younger," he said.
The actor said his present-day life feels markedly different, shaped in part by fatherhood. "I spent today with my 3-year-old son walking along the street… and I'm so happy. If you showed (current photos) to me when I was 20, I would not have recognised myself," he said.
Offering a message of hope, Radcliffe added, "There is such potential for profound happiness in the future, even if it's not where you are right now. It's always worth giving the future a chance to prove you wrong."
The play, which centres on depression and mental health, has been a particularly meaningful experience for the actor. "It's the most profound, meaningful show I have ever done. The chance to connect with people about (mental health) is really rare," he said, highlighting the unique interaction the production allows with audiences.
He described the experience as deeply personal. "As a performer in this show, you get such an amazing view of how brilliant and kind people can be… I think being able to care about an audience in this way is something I'll never get again," he added.