Comedians under pressure, let mental health not be a laughing matter for them

There has recently been a fracas related to a show by stand-up comedians, who came across as being extremely crass in an attempt to be funny.
It made me think about their mental health.
I’ve had a few stand-up comedians come to me for psychiatric help… and what struck me was their severe sadness. It was as if they sublimated their negative mood to make others laugh… just to prove a point to themselves. It might have worked for the audience, but it certainly did nothing for their own mental health.
The mental health of stand-up comedians is an under-discussed but crucial topic, especially in a city like Mumbai, where the comedy scene is vibrant yet highly competitive.
What does one note here?
Performance Pressure & Burnout: Stand-up comedians constantly have to create fresh material, perform regularly, and deal with audience expectations. The pressure to be consistently funny is certainly not easy…. In fact, failing to make an audience laugh is a regular part of a comedian’s journey.
However, repeated failures, harsh feedback, or online trolling can take a serious toll on their self-esteem and mental well-being. This might happen day in and day out and cause major issues.
Most comedy shows happen late at night, often in bars or clubs. This lifestyle can lead to irregular sleep patterns, poor diet, and substance use, which will eventually negatively impact mental health.
Most stand-up comedians in Mumbai struggle with financial stability. Many juggle multiple jobs or gigs which can be exhausting, both mentally and physically.
Loneliness & Identity Crisis: The contrast between their on-stage persona and their real-life struggles can create an identity crisis, which, if prolonged, can cause a lot of problems. Often this dichotomy can lead to depression and anxiety, and an alienation of the “real” self.
Comedians often use humour to cope with real life stresses. This can either be taken as a strength, or a vulnerability making them more prone to the vicissitudes of life.
Many comedians use humour to process trauma or personal struggles. While this can be therapeutic, it may also mask underlying mental health issues that remain unaddressed and which will then eventually manifest in a psychiatric illness.
Isolation: Given that the comic is often travelling and on the road doing gigs across the country, there may be a lack of family time which causes loneliness and aggravates anxiety.
Lack of Mental Health Conversations in the Comedy Industry: As in most other industries, make the affected individual feel lonely and too afraid to “come out” in the open about his private demons.
While some international comedians have spoken openly about their mental health struggles (like Robin Williams and Pete Davidson), discussions in the Indian comedy scene — especially in Mumbai — are still limited…. Only a few Indian comics have spoken of their trysts with this challenge. This needs to change.
The comedian is a human being; he needs to be supported just like any other person in any other industry. This requires a mixture of industry awareness, personal coping strategies, and systemic change.
Partnering with mental health professionals who are aware of the issues faced by creative professionals, can provide help to the comic industry, enabling them to find a safe spot, where they can vent their feelings without being judged or sneered at. They should be made aware that it is ok to take breaks without guilt and that mental health absolutely needs to be prioritised.
The more we talk about it in mainstream media rather than just fire-fighting when a calamity happens, the better and more effective the outcome. Thus, senior and well-respected comics should make it a point to talk amongst themselves, about the mental issues they face, and how they have coped with them. It then makes it OK for the younger ones to ask for help when they have mental health issues, rather than brushing it under the carpet.
(The writer, Dr Kersi Chavda, is a psychiatrist and currently chairperson of the School psychiatry Task force of the Indian Psychiatric Society)