Elijah's Story
Facing his depression head on, Filmmaker Elijah Negasi shares how creative expression was key to his journey of recovery.
"Asking for help isn’t giving up, it’s choosing to keep going."
About Elijah:
I’m Elijah Negasi, a filmmaker and storyteller focused on exploring themes of psychological trauma, identity, and the Black experience through a poetic and surreal lens. My latest project, Leave It Here At Once, is a gritty, jazz-infused drama about a man navigating grief, memory, and transformation in the urban South. I’ve previously worked in various roles across film sets, including as a PA for Issa Rae at ABFF 2024, and I’m passionate about building emotionally resonant, visually striking narratives.
You can learn more about Leave It Here At Once and how you can support the project here.
WHAT WAS THE MAJOR TURNING POINT IN YOUR RECOVERY FROM DEPRESSION?
The major turning point in my recovery from depression came when I stopped trying to outrun it and started to really sit with the pain. I began journaling and making short films, not to escape, but to name what I was feeling—grief, rage, confusion—and give it shape. That act of creation became a mirror and a lifeline. Therapy, community, and the decision to stop hiding my struggle helped me reclaim a sense of self I thought I lost. It’s still a process, but now I move through it with more awareness and intention.
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT REALLY HELPED?
Creative Expression (Filmmaking & Writing):
- Helped me process emotions by turning pain into art.
- Gave me a sense of purpose and control during chaotic moments.
- Let me explore my identity and healing through characters and visual language.
Meditation, Exercise & Spiritual Practices:
- Meditation helped quiet the mental noise and brought me back to the present.
- Regular movement (walks, stretching, bodyweight workouts) helped release tension and lift my mood.
- Spiritual practices like prayer, journaling, and intentional solitude gave me a deeper sense of grounding and trust in something greater than myself.
Community & Vulnerability:
- Sharing my struggles with trusted people broke cycles of silence and shame.
- Reminded me I wasn’t alone, even in my darkest moments.
- Connection became a form of medicine.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER GUYS FIGHTING DEPRESSION?
To any guy fighting depression: you’re not weak for feeling this way, what you’re carrying is real, and it deserves care, not silence. Start by being honest with yourself, even if it’s just admitting, “I’m not okay.” You don’t have to fix everything at once, healing happens in small steps, not big leaps. Find a way to express what’s inside, talk to someone, write, move, create. And always remember: asking for help isn’t giving up, it’s choosing to keep going.
– Elijah Negasi, Filmmaker, Miami, Florida, USA