A Nigerian comedian, Owen Osamwengie, popularly known as Owen Gee, has opened up about how he contemplated suicide in 2017 after he sunk into depression. The Lagos-based humour merchant said, “I have had suicidal tendencies.
Last year, I tried several things, but they did not work out. It was not because the ideas were bad, but the people I was working with just didn’t let them work out. Then anxiety and depression set in.
“Although comedians are thought to be the happiest people in the world, we are also human beings. When I was depressed, I had to find a way to snap out of that mental state of mind even though it was hard for me. For years, I had taken different pills and drugs just to calm me down. I had taken antidepressants, high blood pressure drugs; and there were times that they had given me drugs that would just knock me out and make me sleep but when I woke up after a while, I would be back to the reality of things.
However, none of the drugs was as powerful as self-rediscovery and prayers. I felt better every time I prayed and I started reading inspiring books. I began to read stories that changed my thought process and whenever I saw a book with the word ‘think’ or how to work on your mind, I started reading them. I began to listen to inspirational songs like Majek Fashek’s Spirit of Love album, reggae songs.
The Spirit of Love album had a lot of inspiration songs; I also listened to Redemption song by Bob Marley. I paid attention to things that got me excited. I also started going out not as Owen G but Mr. Owen Osamwengie. I started spending more time with my sons; my first son loves football a lot, so we would sit down and discuss football for hours. That was how I snapped out of depression.
“A lot of people fail to understand that comedians are human beings as well and we do comedy because it is what we know best. Anytime I am in front of somebody, I feel the need to make the person happy even if it means the person would be happier than me.
It is what I know how to do best but I am human as well and I go through pains like every other person. Comedy is just our work, just as you have bankers and doctors. There are so many times one has gone through a huge loss you know you cannot get back; if you do not have enough strength to put it together, you would find out that the situation would eat you up. If something more disastrous should happen at the time, you find out that you begin to enter a state of depression. It starts with unstoppable headaches, you would not be sick physically but mentally, then you would become withdrawn. I never allowed my hair to grow as I shaved after every three days but I got to a point when I kept my hair for three weeks and I did not care,” the comedian said.
GUYS, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Edited by: Endy Edeson
Photo News Editor: Endy Edeson
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FACEBOOK COMMENTS
Endy Edeson
Ahile : Of course they do. Even Julius Agwu had been battling ailments for some time too
Oluwatoyin Obanla
We all know that any depression in naija is "MONEY PALAVA" ,bros, just tell us you were broke but anyway, thank God for your life
Endy Edeson
Obanla & Mac; Hahahahahaha. That's true. Money is no doubt a source of happiness. Though other factors like 'lack of motivation' can also lead to depression even when there is money
Mac David Akwueze
Hmmmm bro Endy Edeson according to him ,he said people his working with didn't let what he is doing work meaning d money no dey flow and that got him frustrated leading depression so not lack of motivation cos money na him go motivated u OK.
Amos Roboudu Apeikhena
Bros na moneylaria been de worry you.