Frank King Mental Health Comedian Suicide Prevention

Suicide Zen Forgiveness: A Candid Conversation with Frank King
The Mental Health Comedian

Originally aired Sep 2021

In this episode of 'Suicide Zen Forgiveness', host Elaine Lindsay interviews Frank King, a former comedy writer, renowned public speaker, and suicide prevention advocate. Known as a 'mental health comedian,' King shares his personal journey, overcoming despair and near suicide, to build a career speaking on mental health topics with humor and profound empathy.

Having written for 'The Tonight Show' for 20 years, worked with scores of comedy greats, and held the record for the longest non-stop comedy road trip, King has an extensive background in comedy. Transitioning his skillset in 2014, he turned his focus towards suicide prevention and mental health advocacy.

Frank speaks of his experience with Chronic Suicidal Ideation, a theme he touches upon in his talks to create an environment that allows others to open up about their mental health struggles. He further reveals his mission to educate people about spotting the signs and symptoms of depression and suicide ideation.

For his efforts, King was dubbed the 'mental health comedian', a title he treats with both gravity and joviality, making discussions about the serious issues of mental health more palatable for the audience.

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer

00:39 Guest Introduction: Frank King

00:43 Frank King's Journey in Comedy

01:48 Transition to Public Speaking on Suicide Prevention

02:23 Introduction

02:23 The Art of Quick Thinking

02:49 Frank's Personal Experience with Suicidal Ideation

06:37 Frank's Career Shift and the Importance of Addressing Mental Health

07:05 The Role of Comedy in Discussing Serious Topics

07:52 Frank's Personal and Family History with Suicide

09:24 The Importance of Recognizing and Addressing Mental Health Issues

14:49 The Impact of Sharing Personal Stories and Experiences

18:00 The Importance of Regular Health Check-ups

20:36 Frank's Book Series on Men's Mental Health

23:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Frank King believes "You can make a difference. You can save a life. I can show you how."

In 2016 Frank King began coaching potential TEDx Talkers, when a number of his speaker coaching clients approached him and asked if he would coach them on scoring a TEDx Talk opportunity. Since then, those half-dozen clients have all done their first TEDx Talk, one of those is scheduled to do her second early in 2019, and four of them are also in the second round of auditions for DukeTEDx!

Frank King was a writer for the Tonight Show for 20 years, and he holds the record for the longest non-stop comedy club road trip ever. Beginning the day after Christmas in 1985, he and his wife (who must have the patience of Job) were on the road 2,629 nights in a row, comedy club to comedy club and cheap motel room to cheap motel room, with no home, just a PO Box and voice mail.

Along the way he worked with Jerry Seinfeld, Jeff Foxworthy, Ron White, Adam Sandler, Dennis Miller, Ellen DeGeneres, Rosie O'Donnell, Kevin Nealon, Bill Engval, Dr. Ken Joeng, Rita Sirleaf and Kevin James among others.

Since becoming a public speaker on Suicide Prevention in 2014, he’s done five TEDx Talks, has another one scheduled for February, and he’s in the second round of auditions for DukeTEDx.

Frank Cares 

858.405.5653

Sites

http://www.TheMentalHealthComedian.com

http://www.YourTEDxCoach.com 

Social

http://www.facebook.com/thementalhealthcomedian

http://www.instagram.com/mentalhealthcomedian

http://www.twitter.com/theMHcomedian

https://www.youtube.com/thementalhealthcomedian

https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankkingthemhcomedian

Videos

Born to Be Funny https://youtu.be/mugOzr6ItFk

Mental With Benefits https://youtu.be/mCnsHSdAn48

A Matter of Laugh or Death https://youtu.be/IeMg6OFYfU0

Suicide, The Secret of My Success https://youtu.be/3D4m33DXtsI