Actor Michael Ejoor opens up about battling depression and surviving multiple suicide attempts

Nollywood actor Michael Ejoor has shared a deeply personal story about his struggles with depression, suicidal thoughts and feeling unloved while growing up.

 

Speaking on the Podcast Jay On Air, Ejoor revealed that as a child, he felt completely isolated and thought everyone hated him — even his father, who he now describes as 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 although his parents tried their best, he was a “terrible child” and felt he wasn’t receiving enough recognition or support, despite appearing on-screen and working in the industry.

 

According to him, the hardest part of being in Nollywood is not production or filmmaking itself, but dealing with the silent struggles that come with public life and expectations.

 

Ejoor revealed that he had been diagnosed with clinical depression 14 years ago, and that he had previously attempted to take his own life on more than one occasion.

 

He shared one harrowing incident from his time in the UK, where he walked in front of a moving car and got hit. “I’m not proud of these things,” he said. “It’s not a badge of honour.”

 

The actor said he initially ran away from his diagnosis but eventually decided to share his story publicly after encouragement from a friend, adding that the outpouring of support and messages he received made him realise how much his story could help others.

 

He also spoke about how depression once made him live 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.

 

Ejoor emphasised that opening up about his journey was not easy but necessary, as it has helped many people see that even public figures go through mental health battles.