As 2019 came to a close and the world rang in the start of a new decade, soap opera alum Jacob Young (ex-Rick Forrester, The Bold and the Beautiful; ex-J.R. Chandler, All My Children; ex-Lucky Spencer, General Hospital) took the reflective moment to share some personal issues with fans.
The star, who celebrated his 40th birthday in September, took to Instagram with a message that sheds light on his mental health battles and serves as encouragement for others who may be experiencing similar feelings to get help.
"Today at the age of 40, I'm still working on ways of taking care of my mental health. Like so many I had struggled with masking an overwhelming painful past with drugs and alcohol, that pain still resurfaces every now and then," he writes. "Thankfully I now have the tools to recognize those feelings and am much better equipped on how to handle them in a healthy way that works for me. Everyone deals with and guilt and pain. Yes, you are normal. Taking care of your mental health can be simple things you can implicate to your daily life or in times of crisis. For me, having an open dialogue with the one I love or trust is always a great place to start. Trust that they have seen you at your best and most definitely at your worst. Exercise, meditation, breathing techniques or a simple brisk walk can do wonders to help eliminate negative feelings and thoughts."
He goes on to say that sometimes self-care routines don't work, and sometimes "the load is just too heavy." For those moments, Young suggests the Boys Town National Hotline, accredited by the American Association of Suicidology (AAS), which is available to anyone 24 hours a day.
"I too had to deal with suicide in my family. Years ago I didn't know how to deal with it and contemplated taking my own life. You're not alone. Personally I keep the Boys Town National Hotline number saved in my phone in case I or my children may need it one day," he says. "Don't be afraid to get help. 1-800-448-3000. For more information and helpful content for parents and kids, please check out their website www.yourlifeyourvoice.org."
Young made his daytime debut on B&B, where he played Rick Forrester from 1997 to 1999. He went on to play GH's Lucky from 2000 to 2003, and then took on legacy AMC role J.R. in 2003. When AMC was canceled in 2011, Young returned to the role of B&B's Rick. He was dropped to recurring status at the CBS soap opera in 2018 and has since been pursuing a music career and other acting roles. His most recent projects include Killer Vacation, The Road Home for Christmas, yA, and Angel.
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