Chude Jideonwo was at Spine & Label Bookshop, Abuja’s go-to space for book readings and literary conversations, to talk about How Depression Saved My Life, the deeply personal memoir he just published.
One of the more thought-provoking moments at the proceedings, moderated by Abdulkareem Baba-Aminu, came during questions about religion and its relationship with mental health. Chude explained that while religion can sometimes help, it is not always a positive addition to therapy. In his view, religion has often had a net negative effect on mental health, especially when it prevents people from addressing the root of their problems. That said, he was careful to add nuance. Where religion genuinely aids healing, it should be embraced. Referring to himself as “a tithe-paying, tongue-speaking, praying Christian,” he shared how faith has helped him personally, while emphasizing that a good therapist focuses primarily on internal and personal healing.
