Sarah Silverman the fabulously funny stand-up comedian is trying to change the dialogue around mental illness and depression in her new film I Smile Back and with her recent disclosure of battling depression in both People and Glamour magazine.
Silverman has said acknowledging her depression, instead of hiding behind it, while onstage has actually transformed her comedy. For Silverman, depression was something that had followed her around, off and on, since she was 13.
“The dark years and those ups and downs – chemical and otherwise – have always informed my work; I believe being a comedian is about exposing yourself, warts and all,” she said. “But my stand-up has evolved along with me.”
“I still have downward spirals, days when I have to drag myself onstage to do stand-up or I’m just tweeting Morrissey lyrics from my bed. But there’s one thing I know that I used to not know: It will pass.”
Apparently Silverman was wary about taking the role of Laney Brooks in ‘I Smile Back‘ based on the book by Amy Koppelman.
Depression affects 7% of the people and still carries a horrible stigma. The more people talk about it and bring it out of the shadows the less likely it will be viewed as a plague. See my post on Howie Mandel who is quoted as saying: “We take care of our dental health. We don’t take care of our mental health.” I know people who won’t take anti-depression medication for fear of it being on their medical record and affecting future employment. I applaud Sarah Silverman in helping to educate and make changes in the attitudes around mental health. Depression is part of the world of the famous and of the ordinary. It knows no boundaries.
Sarah Silverman is the Xtra in ordinary!
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