Nollywood actor Michael Ejoor has bravely opened up about his lifelong battle with depression, revealing he survived multiple suicide attempts before finding a path to healing.

Speaking on the podcast Jay On Air, Ejoor recounted his childhood struggles, saying he grew up feeling completely isolated and unloved — even believing at one point that his father, whom he now calls his “best friend,” hated him.

“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.

The actor explained that despite his parents’ efforts, he felt like a “terrible child” who wasn’t receiving enough recognition or support, even as he worked on-screen at a young age.

Diagnosed with clinical depression 14 years ago, Ejoor revealed how his mental health challenges worsened during his time in the UK, including a harrowing incident where he deliberately walked into oncoming traffic.

“I’m not proud of these things. It’s not a badge of honour,” he added.

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

“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, emphasising how depression robbed him of hope.

Now, by opening up about his experience, Ejoor hopes to break the silence around mental health in Nigeria and show that even public figures struggle behind closed doors.

Opinion: Breaking the Silence on Mental Health

Michael Ejoor’s story is a sobering reminder of how mental health issues often go unseen — even among those who seem to “have it all.” In a culture where public figures are expected to exude confidence and success, it is rare and courageous for a celebrity to admit vulnerability.

His honesty shatters the myth that fame or financial success automatically protect people from depression. It also highlights the urgent need for more mental health awareness, open conversations, and support systems in Nigeria, where stigma still keeps many people suffering in silence.

By speaking out, Ejoor has turned his pain into purpose. His story can serve as a lifeline for young people who feel isolated, unseen, or without hope — a powerful reminder that they are not alone, and that help exists.

Mental health is not a “badge of shame.” It’s a human reality. And when voices like Ejoor’s emerge, they challenge society to respond with empathy instead of judgment. His bravery is not only therapeutic for him but potentially life-saving for others.