- Nollywood actor Michael Ejoor has openly discussed his battle with depression.
- He has survived multiple suicide attempts throughout his life.
- Ejoor shared his experiences on the Jay On Air podcast.
Nollywood actor Michael Ejoor has revealed his long struggle with depression, sharing that he survived multiple suicide attempts.
Speaking on the Jay On Air podcast, Ejoor recounted feeling completely isolated during his childhood. He said he believed everyone disliked him even his father, whom he now calls his best friend.
“Growing up, I was secluded. I thought everybody hated me. I even thought my dad hated me. I didn’t think anybody liked me. I didn’t think anything was going well for me,” he said.
He explained that, despite his parents’ efforts, he considered himself a “terrible child” who felt unnoticed and unsupported, even though he was already appearing on screen and working in the entertainment industry.
Ejoor pointed out that the toughest part of working in Nollywood isn’t the production process but the silent emotional struggles that come with public life and its expectations.
According to him, he was diagnosed with clinical depression 14 years ago and had tried to end his life on more than one occasion. He recalled a particularly traumatic incident in the UK when he deliberately walked into the path of a moving car.
“I’m not proud of these things,” he admitted. “It’s not a badge of honour.”
Initially, the actor said he rejected his diagnosis but later decided to share his journey after encouragement from a friend. The overwhelming support and messages he received made him realise the impact of his story on others facing similar challenges.
Ejoor also revealed how depression once left him living without plans or hope.
“I didn’t want to think about tomorrow. The worst question you could ask me was my five-year goal. I didn’t even want to be alive tomorrow,” he said.
He stressed that speaking publicly about his mental health was not easy but necessary, as it helps others understand that even public figures go through serious mental health battles.
