Welcome to our latest edition of the “The Mental Health Comedian” newsletter! This week, we’re excited to bring you curated insights from our full conversation with Frank King, the brilliant comedian and mental health advocate, in a revealing interview hosted by Seth Deckman.
In This Episode:
Discover how
Frank King
went from top-rated “white collar comedian” to becoming the Mental Health Comedian, passionately using humor to open up the conversation around depression and suicide prevention.
Learn his practical tools for maintaining mental health in uncertain times—especially in the virtual workplace we’ve all had to adjust to over the last few years.
Key Takeaways:
1. Self-Care Routines Are a Game-ChangerFrank King stresses the importance of building—and sticking to—a routine, especially when everyday patterns are disrupted. His personal five essentials? Diet, exercise, quality sleep, meditation, and (when needed) medication. If you’re struggling or feeling low energy, focus on what you can control and build your day around those anchors.
2. Spotting Signs and Showing Empathy With working-from-home creating new challenges, Frank King outlines subtle signs that colleagues and HR should watch for—changes in appearance, tardiness to calls, or shifts in behavior. Spotting these can help us all become better “gatekeepers” for each other’s mental health.
3. Humor to Destigmatize the Conversation Humor, when used with empathy, can break down walls. Frank King candidly shares his own experiences with depression and suicidal ideation. By bringing laughter into the darkest corners of his story, he creates a safe space for honest conversations—both on stage and in everyday life.
4. Gamification and Forward Motion If you’re finding it hard to even get out of bed, Frank King suggests turning self-care into a game. Make a to-do list of small tasks, and reward yourself when they’re scratched off. Sometimes the hardest part is just starting!
5. You’re Not Alone—Let’s Talk About It One of the most powerful messages from the episode is that discussions about mental health and suicide should be normalized—starting in leadership, HR, and among colleagues. When we speak candidly, we help others carry their burdens and show them they’re not alone.
Frank’s Parting Thought:
“Focus on the things you can control… routines, self-care, and reaching out when you see signs—these make all the difference. And sometimes, a little humor helps us get through the hardest days.”
We hope these insights spark reflection, conversation, and maybe even a smile in your day.
Listen to the full episode to hear more of Frank King’s personal journey, practical tools, and how humor truly can save lives.
Take care of yourselves—and each other, The Mental Health Comedian Team
P.S. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out or talk to someone. You’re never alone.

As always, reply to this email with your thoughts, questions, or topics you’d like us to cover in the next issue.