Best of Q: Rob Delaney on depression and surviving dark days
Rob Delaney on his autobiographical book and why he's willing to share the dark side of his story.
In a conversation from the Best of Q, stand-up comic and Twitter hero Rob Delaney joins Jian to discuss his autobiographical book of essays: Rob Delaney: Mother, Wife, Sister, Human, Warrior, Falcon, Yardstick, Turban, Cabbage.
Don't let the quirky title fool you. Delaney explains that his book (unlike his stand-up) is willing to stray away from humour if it conflicts with honesty.
He opens up on how a car accident changed his life, why even the most horrible experiences can be funny, and how he got through his struggles with alcoholism and depression.
"Since I did survive those things -- barely, both of them -- it is my duty and pleasure, honestly, to talk about how I got through them," he said.
"I went down some pretty rough byways."
"Since I did survive those things -- barely, both of them -- it is my duty and pleasure, honestly, to talk about how I got through them," he said.
"I went down some pretty rough byways."
Get outside of your head
Yesterday, Delaney tweeted the video embedded below with the simple line: "old video I made about getting help".
In it, he explains how having strong connections to family and friends, getting outside your own head, and interrogating your own dark thoughts are all important strategies for combating suicidal thoughts.
"I looked outside of myself for help," he says, adding that his life today does not resemble his darkest days just a decade ago.
The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention can provide information, as well as contacts for crisis centres across Canada: http://www.suicideprevention.ca/in-crisis-now/thinking-about-suicide/.