There are lots of misconceptions about mental health issues in Nigeria. People say you cannot be depressed and be a Christian or a Muslim. A lot of Nigerians believe mental health issues are a spiritual problem so they try to pray it away.

Those were the words of Chude Jideonwo, host of the show, #WithChude, and author of the book, ‘How Depression saved My Life’, in an interview session with The Guardian during the reading and signing of the 10-chapter memoir with the thematic preoccupation of unhappiness, brokenness, depression, suicidal, spiritual, joyful, authentic, love, fearless and transformation in Lagos recently.

Jideonwo said: “We talk about mental health in Nigeria but we don’t have any high-profile account of mental health. We don’t take it seriously as a country –people who are going through it don’t seek help. This is what the book ‘How Depression Saved My Life’ addresses. It’s a personal life experience and I believe the time is right for a high-profile account of what depression really means and how exactly people can survive and thrive even if they’re dealing with depression or any other mental issue.

“Of course, this book is not just about depression, it’s about adversity, how to survive the most difficult times in your life. Most people are trying to run away from problems but even in religion we’re told that we should reject the problem in Jesus’s name. John 16:33 says, “in this life, you’ll have trouble”… So, trouble is a fact of life, we need to build better coping skills for adversity and not just skills to cope, but to thrive. No matter the level of adversity, you can still find joy and even use that adversity as a stepping stone. You know, I didn’t just put my personal experience in the book, there was a lot of research so that people will know that it’s not just Chude saying it from his personal experience, this is what we already know as a global unit.”

When asked about the facts around the messages of the book? Jideonwo said: “First and foremost, you should be ready for trouble. Trouble is going to come. None of us can avoid trouble. That’s just what life is, and the better way to do it is to prepare, so when it comes, it doesn’t overwhelm you. I also want people to know that depression is nothing to be ashamed about. Human beings get depressed. You can’t be joyful without being vulnerable. Hiding and pretending will deprive you of the joy of life. What I give in the book is a skill to help you handle trouble well rather than panic and then to help you use that trouble as a stepping stone to deeper significance, deeper career success and deeper joy.”

Who are your target audience? “Well, there are three audiences. First, the people who are seeking more joy, they can be of any age – the people who are yet to find their full purpose in life. Second, people that deal with mental health issues of any kind. Third, for everybody – this is because we all face overwhelming troubles at one point or another in life.”

The author also revealed that chapter nine is his favourite as it deals with his worldview on vulnerability and fear. “A lot of people are trapped in the concept of invulnerability. Emotions need motion. Any emotion you don’t express will express itself one way or another.”

Addressing the issue of courage to scale through life hurdles, Jideonwo said: “Courage is a muscle you build. Small courage leads to big ones. You must have courage to do what brings you joy irrespective of what people say. Courage is an affirmation that one understands the significance of one’s life. Courage is both means and end as there is no courage without consequence and you have to be comfortable with consequence.”