Ghanaian actor James Gardiner has spoken out about misunderstandings regarding his mental well-being, particularly dispelling rumors of struggling with depression after a recent Instagram post on his birthday.
He made it clear that his frustration stemmed from the lack of backing for his business ventures by those close to him, which left him dissatisfied and prompted his social media venting.
Gardiner emphasized that expressing discontent online doesn’t necessarily equate to being depressed.
During an interview with Elsie Lamar on GhanaWeb TV at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA), he set the record straight.
“I was misunderstood. There’s a distinction between feeling unhappy and being clinically depressed. I was unhappy due to launching a business that didn’t receive the support it needed from people I expected support from. That’s what my post was about.”
He elaborated, “Imagine putting effort into a business that doesn’t pan out; that’s what I meant. People can have their opinions, but I don’t let it affect me. I’ve been in this industry long enough to understand its dynamics.”
This clarification follows Gardiner’s Instagram update on May 16, 2024, where he detailed the challenges his business had faced.
Despite some interpreting this as a sign of depression, Gardiner clarified that his sentiments were rooted in business frustrations, not clinical depression.
“In 2018, I started a car rental company. It was going well until Covid hit, and then the business suffered for about 2 years. I sold the cars and invested in a nightclub in Ghana, hoping for success. But it hasn’t worked out as expected, at least not yet. Not much support from friends and family. The ones who did support really did! I’m working and doing what I love—acting! But I’m just not happy. I feel empty, honestly. Is all of this worth it?” the post read.