Table of Contents
A Decade of Triumph and Turmoil: Chude Jideonwo’s Journey Through Mental Health
In his compelling new memoir, How Depression Saved My Life, acclaimed media entrepreneur and storyteller Chude Jideonwo opens up about the darkest chapter of his existence-the harrowing day he nearly ended his life on Lagos’s Eko Bridge. Published by Narrative Landscape Press, known for works by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Femi Otedola, this memoir chronicles a transformative ten-year period from 2014 to 2024. It captures Jideonwo’s evolution from orchestrating presidential campaigns to founding WithChude, a platform dedicated to healing and purpose-driven living.
Living with Hidden Struggles: The Untold Story of Tourette’s and Depression
“For years, I endured a persistent twitch on my right side that worsened with any physical discomfort,” Jideonwo reveals. “Managing that alongside my battle with depression felt overwhelming.”
After enduring years of incorrect diagnoses, medical professionals finally identified his symptoms as Tourette’s syndrome-a neurological condition he had unknowingly carried since childhood. The memoir’s poignant chapter titled ‘Suicidal’ recounts the moment when the crushing weight of depression, adverse medication effects, and despair converged.
“One day, while driving from Lagos Island to the Mainland across the Eko Bridge, the heaviness became unbearable. I slowed down, drifting into the right lane, as if I no longer wished to move forward. I gazed at the vast Atlantic Ocean beside me, and a strange calm washed over me.”
“I contemplated what it might feel like to drive off the bridge-whether for a fleeting moment or forever-to escape the unbearable pain. A chilling serenity followed; fear vanished, clarity emerged, and I knew what I had to do.” This pivotal decision to persevere marked a profound turning point in his life.
From Despair to Empowerment: Building Platforms for Healing and Growth
Jideonwo’s memoir intertwines his personal battles with depression and Tourette’s syndrome with reflections on faith, therapy, philosophy, and the restorative power of storytelling. His near-suicidal experience became the catalyst for creating initiatives like WithChude, WithChude Live, Joy Inc., and the Fourthmainland Creator Fund-platforms designed to transform pain into empowerment.
“Following the highs of the Buhari campaign in 2015 and the Akufo-Addo campaign in 2016, I was diagnosed with clinical depression and Tourette’s syndrome. I faced unimaginable pain, contemplated suicide, resigned as CEO of RED, considered relocating to America, then ultimately returned to Nigeria. Three years later, I emerged renewed with WithChude,” Jideonwo shared in an Instagram announcement.
“If you’re navigating a difficult or confusing period and unsure how to endure it, this book offers not only survival strategies but also a roadmap to transform adversity into joy. It’s a candid, practical guide on converting life’s greatest challenges into profound happiness.”
A Rare Narrative on Mental Health, Ambition, and Faith in Nigeria
With unflinching honesty and eloquent prose, How Depression Saved My Life sheds light on a seldom-discussed intersection in Nigerian society: mental illness entwined with ambition and spirituality. The memoir serves as both a confession and a guide, narrating a journey from breakdown to wholeness.
The book is currently available in bookstores across Nigeria via NarrativeLandscape.com and internationally on Amazon.
About Chude Jideonwo: A Voice for African Stories of Resilience
Chude Jideonwo is the creator and host of WithChude, one of Africa’s most widely viewed talk shows, and WithChudeLive, the continent’s largest talk concert. A lawyer, filmmaker, and media entrepreneur, he co-founded and formerly led African media companies RED | For Africa, Joy Inc., and YNaija. His expertise spans 21 African countries, where he has advised presidents and election campaigns in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.
Recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, CNBC Young Business Leader of the Year, Archbishop Desmond Tutu Fellow, Yale World Fellow, and Creative-In-Residence at the London School of Economics, Jideonwo launched WithChude in 2020. The podcast and multi-platform talk show features intimate conversations with African leaders and celebrities, amassing millions of views on YouTube and syndication across three Pan-African networks. It has become one of Africa’s largest repositories of stories centered on healing, resilience, and personal growth.
In 2025, he introduced the Fourthmainland Creator Fund, pledging a personal investment of $500,000 to empower African creators and shape the future of independent media on the continent.
His work has been featured in prestigious outlets such as The New York Times, The Guardian, BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, The Huffington Post, and The Financial Times. His latest memoir, How Depression Saved My Life, is published by Narrative Landscape.
