Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2022: John Hastings discusses comedy and mental health

7 June 2022

How does comedy help my mental health? I have no idea what to do with my mental health in the same way I do not know what to do with a bank account. So many people seem to be getting stuff out of them, and I seem to be just staring at a screen, going, "so this is how I feel?"

John Hastings by Mandee Johnson

I would like to say that mental health issues are something to manage and overcome. However, I am that old of a millennial. I am not sure if this is a view I should apologise for, so I will.

Sorry.

I do not like the idea that it is fuel for the creative process. I think it stops people from getting help with brain issues and lets all manner of ghastly behaviour from comedians be excused as the 'mania of a performer'. If you disagree, I do not view my mental health as mind fuel for my jokes.

Comedy has not "helped" my mental health in that it is not the root cause of my mental health distress. I came to my anxiety through genes and experience. I got my insomnia from working overnights at a radio station, and I got my catastrophization from catastrophes (and genetics).

Oh, and my dyspraxia? That is not a mental health condition–I am neurodivergent, which is not a "mental illness", I think. My comedy was born out of a need to cope with the above. Technically, it was created to deal with the above mentioned "shit beating."

So, here is the thing: mental health is why I cry in my car, and comedy is how I afford a car. Comedy and mental health involve me, but that does not mean they are connected.

I have very much had to learn how to perform while exhausted from insomnia (you perform while everyone thinks, “Wow, he is tired”). I have learned how to tell a joke amid a panic attack (you do poorly and get asked if you need cab fare from a drag queen). I have learned to perform with dyspraxia (not a mental illness, seriously). Unfortunately, none of these personality traits helped my comedy.

Comedy is one of those things that gets better the more you do it, and my mental health was helped by getting help. I got a therapist, and I confronted some stuff and changed some behaviours and struggled all the time. Getting therapy gave me perspective, which has helped my comedy. Meditating has forced me to slow down my speech because I am actively trying to exist now instead of living in…fear…WOW. Mental health did help my comedy!

For better jokes, see our John at the Edinburgh Fringe. John Hastings: Do you have any ointment? My John Hastings! 8:15 pm Carnivore 1 with Monkey Barrell.