Become “Mental Health First Responders”: Confront Darkness with Humor

The Journey to Stand-Up Stardom
Frank King, known as the “Mental Health Comedian,” takes center stage in this week’s episode of “The Mental Health Comedian” podcast with his presentation aptly titled “Born to be Funny.” With over 30 years of experience, King shares his journey of finding his comedic voice and making a difference in the world of mental health. From telling jokes about male pattern baldness to landing a gig as a writer for “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” King’s authentic humor and storytelling captivate audiences.

Comedy: A Lifelong Calling
King humorously recounts his early encounters with comedy, revealing that comedians are born, not made. Despite the lack of Ritalin during his school days, King’s natural wit shone through when he cracked his first ad-lib joke about his glasses. He wittily describes his childhood struggle with near-sightedness, which lent itself to his unique outlook on life. This perspective eventually led him to discover a passion for performance, particularly in the arts and humanities.

From the Clubs to Corporate America
King details his transition from comedy clubs to corporate comedy, where he made a successful career shift due to his clean comedy style. As the economic recession hit, King’s ability to adapt allowed him to transition into motivational speaking and corporate gigs, which, as he highlights, became far more lucrative. But it was in this shift that King also found a deeper calling to speak about mental health issues, particularly suicide prevention.

Confronting Darkness with Humor
In a poignant turn, King delves into the serious side of his life as he shares his personal battles with major depressive disorder and chronic suicidality—conditions he inherited alongside a sense of humor from his mother. King candidly describes the moment he stood on the brink of suicide, conveying both the gravity and the hope found in survival. His willingness to shine a light on his struggles not only helps de-stigmatize mental illness but also offers solace to those, like audience member Renee Laboa, who found life-changing hope in his words.

The Power of Conversations
The heart of King’s message lies in the transformative power of conversation. By mentioning depression and suicide out loud, King demonstrates how simply starting a conversation can lead to life-saving connections. In the episode, Renee Laboa shares her heartfelt testimony of how King’s Facebook post on suicide provided her with the hope and courage to continue living.

King emphasizes that anyone can contribute to suicide prevention by engaging in open and honest dialogue. He outlines practical steps, such as looking out for warning signs of depression and using tools like mental health first aid. These practices equip individuals with the ability to address mental health issues straightforwardly and sensitively, ultimately saving lives.

Becoming “Mental Health First Responders”
In this episode, King educates listeners on becoming effective mental health first responders. He offers guidance on identifying signs of depression or suicide and encourages listeners to engage empathetically rather than dismissively. By fostering supportive environments and conversations, each person can play a role in combating the devastating effects of depression and chronic suicidality.

The Path Forward
This episode of “The Mental Health Comedian” leaves listeners with a call to action: to break the silence surrounding mental health struggles and to embrace the opportunity to make a difference through conversation. By sharing his story, King not only entertains but also inspires a movement of compassionate, informed individuals ready to support those in crisis. As King reminds us, the simple act of starting a conversation can be the difference between life and death.

This blog post expands on the themes presented in Frank King’s talk, encouraging a deeper understanding and engagement with mental health advocacy through humor and conversation.