Daily Herald opinion: A comedian's lesson in openness and managing mental health
Laughter really is the best medicine.
And it doesn't matter whether you are the one laughing or the one prompting others to laugh. Laughter is one of those wonderful things that's an equal opportunity mood enhancer.
Our Steve Zalusky on Monday profiled Yash Hatkar, a 24-year-old from Buffalo Grove who has decided to use comedy to battle his own demons.
Hatkar has suffered serious psychological problems for years and had decided to end his life.
When it got right down to it, though, he realized he'd made a mistake. Instead of going through with it, he bravely checked himself into a hospital for help.
His best friend told him his journey would make for a great standup comedy special on Netflix. That friend might be right.
There is ample evidence that comics who tell soul-baring personal stories of such grim topics as suicidal ideation, depression, spousal abuse, drug and alcohol abuse and low self esteem are resonating with viewers.
Think for a moment about the comedy specials you've seen on TV. More and more, you'll find comics who've used opening up about their problems as a form of therapy. At the same time, they're providing us with it.
Sure, for some of us the allure is a taste of Schadenfreude. But to many of us, hearing these stories reminds us that we're not alone in our problems. It teaches us to give ourselves a break, to laugh at ourselves.
Around the world, the isolation we encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health problems. We're experiencing a real crisis in this country.
For Hatkar, the decision to tell his story on stage didn't jell until he saw a John Mulaney performance in which the comic told the audience that his own struggles with drug abuse inspired him to do standup.
In one of his routines, comic Tom Papa says, "You've got to be nice to yourself. It's hard what we're doing. It's hard being a person."
Comic Neal Brennan talks about his crushing self-esteem problem. "Depression is like wearing a weighted vest," he said.
Combine standup comedy and a doctorate in psychology and you get Brian King, who spoke to Zalusky.
"Laughter and humor both have multiple benefits," he said. "Laughter helps us to relieve stress."
And stress, he said, is the root of many of our problems.
Opening up is a big step in the road to recovery. Hatkar will be doing just that March 25 at the Davis Theater in Chicago, where he'll tell his own story.
The comedy show will be preceded by a panel discussion with mental health experts. And proceeds from the show will benefit Highland Park Hospital and Rogers Behavioral Health, the two organizations that treated Hatkar.
What a wonderful way to give back.
Anyone suffering from issues of mental illness should, of course, seek professional help. But as Hatkar and other comedians demonstrate, laughter can aid the process and be a potent medicine along the road to better health.