71. Suicide Prevention - Can comedy be a platform for mental health?

Frank King is a Comedian and TEDTalk speaker who specializes in suicide prevention. He is also the host of the Suicide Prevention Podcast.
His suicidality is generational meaning it runs in his family and has for generations.
As a writer for the Jay Leno show for 20 years, people wonder how a comedian is talking about mental health and suicide. Frank has major depression disorder and chronic suicide ideation and says his ability to reach people from this platform is healing to both him and others.
Starting the conversation on suicide, giving people permission to give voice to their feelings and experiences surrounding depression and thoughts of suicide, without recrimination.
- Comedy and suicide, how do those go together?
- How did you get started in comedy?
- How did you go from a funny speaker to a speaker who is funny?
- How does a comedian get 5 TEDx Talks?
- Do you find speaking on mental health therapeutic?
- What mental illness do you live with
Frank said that living with mental illness was isolating and when he came out and started speaking about it, he developed a pit crew that supports him without judgement.
TED Talk: A Matter of Laugh or Death
Frank discusses how to address suicide and what we need to do to support our friends and family who may be suicidal. Asking them outright if they are and how the plan to complete suicide is important.
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Talking about sucide and reframing mental illness is one way we will create a major social shift while reducing stigma.
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Website: http://www.TheMentalHealthComedian.com
Bio: https://www.thementalhealthcomedian.com/suicide-prevention-speaker-for-meeting-planners/

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