How i survived depression and s#icidal thoughts – Actor Michael Ejoor

Nollywood actor Michael Ejoor has candidly shared his long battle with depression, revealing that he survived multiple s#icide attempts

Speaking on the podcast Jay On Air, the actor recounted his struggles with mental health, describing a childhood marked by isolation and feelings of rejection.

“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, adding that although his parents tried their best, he felt like a “terrible child” who wasn’t getting enough recognition or support despite being on-screen and working in the industry.

Ejoor disclosed that he was diagnosed with clinical depression 14 years ago and revealed that the hardest part of working in Nollywood is not the production itself but dealing with the silent struggles that come with public life and its expectations.

He shared one particularly harrowing experience from his time in the UK, when he attempted suicide by stepping in front of a moving car. “I’m not proud of these things,” he admitted. “It’s not a badge of honour.”

According to Ejoor, depression 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.

After initially running from his diagnosis, the actor decided to share his story publicly following encouragement from a friend. The overwhelming support and messages he received convinced him that speaking out could help others facing similar struggles. Ejoor stressed that opening up was not easy but necessary, showing that even public figures experience mental health battles.