I appreciate Godwin Tom opening up about his challenge with depression. It’s a very brave thing to do. Special shout out to others who have also opened up and been transparent about depression including Eva Alordiah, Shei Funmi, and Moelogo.
Read Godwin Tom’s note that he shared on his social media pages today. Also get to know him better in my AML archived interview where he discusses the business of music, specifically artist-management.
Godwin Tom on the Business of Artist-Management
-Ms. Uduak
Godwin Tom’s message on social media
“A lot has been said about depression in the last few months and people have made songs and ran campaigns and recorded themselves talking to “victims”.
I couldn’t say much because I was also fighting my own battles. Over the years I had battled this thing called Depression and barely escaped it EVERYTIME. At 19 I wanted to take my own life. At 24 I thought I needed money to get out of it so I borrowed money and got into the longest debt repayment ever and it had been like this for such a long time. How does a 15-year-old deal with a hole in the heart and hypertension??? I wasn’t even sure I would see 25… obviously, I did!
Earlier this year, I fell into the bubble of depression again and it was overwhelming. (The) recession didn’t help either. Things were going well for me though…Why was I feeling so depressed?
Peeps from church said I wasn’t praying enough… family and friends felt I was talking crazy… it felt like the more I shared my challenge the deeper I fell into it. Then it started to affect work… then I started losing money. I couldn’t concentrate. Nothing was working. I stopped talking to people. I started praying and reading my Bible. It wasn’t enough. How did I deal with mine? By deciding to be a blessing to others. By believing in myself. Because I am here for something way bigger than me. Because I have an important role to play in this life and so do you! No matter how depressed or unworthy you feel. You can get out of that hole.
If you are living with someone who is depressed or dealing with depression, don’t judge. Don’t think you know. Don’t force your opinion. Just be there for them. Find professional help but give them hope. Speak life and keep them active. It’s a fight they must win for themselves but not by themselves.
It’s my birthday soon this month and I can’t help but be grateful. Do I still have battles? Yup! But I will conquer them one step at a time and achieve my dreams and goals… and I will help as many people as I can do the same. I will continue to be #APartOfTheSolution #GodwinTom“
Photo credit: Godwin Tom Facebook fan page