Jared Padalecki Supports Mental Illness Through ‘To Write Love On Her Arms’

Jared Padalecki, star of the CW hit show Supernatural, has embarked on a campaign to save lives outside of his television persona. In an effort to help individuals suffering from depression, addictions, and thoughts of suicide, he has joined the non-profit organization To Write Love On Her Arms. He joins the organization as his character in the show begins to experience similar feelings to those that belong to the group. Padalecki hopes his work with the organization will inspire fans to reach out for help or help a friend in need.

People Magazine shared that Jared Padalecki has become engrossed in To Write Love On Her Arms and has started a t-shirt campaign to help support the organization. His t-shirt carries the slogan, “Always Keep Fighting” and started with a goal of selling 1,000 pieces. However, his dedicated fan base stepped up to the plate and blew the goal out of the water.

To Write Love On her Arms, also known as TWLOHA, enthusiastically accepted Padalecki’s support by allowing the limited edition shirt to become available to the public. Padalecki took to Twitter and his Facebook page, admitting he finally figured out how to use the site to spread the word of his support, according to the Liberty Voice.

Padalecki hopes his support will encourage sufferers of depression, anxiety, addiction, and thoughts of suicide to keep fighting, never give up, and seek the help they need to keep going. Although proceeds from the sales of the shirt will benefit TWLOHA, he is excited about the support and awareness that it will also conjure.

When asked why he chose the slogan, he relayed its creation to a personal experience.

“I used to work with somebody who had been sober for 20 years, and he told me that it’s a daily struggle – that he wakes up every morning knowing it’s going to be a battle.”

He continued as follows.

“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.”

Fans that want to purchase the limited edition shirt can visit Represent.com and order their shirt. The sales end in just over 6 days, and nearly 24,000 shirts have been sold, exceeding the goal of 1,000.

Padalecki hopes his support will inspire others to also support TWLOHA and spread the word of the cause.

[Photo by Alberto E. Rodriquez/Getty Images]