Conversations with My Mind: The Learning Podcast

Comically Serious Conversation About Suicide Prevention with Frank King | S2 Ep5

Ance Vanaga / Frank King Season 2 Episode 5

Mental health is no laughing matter. However, many of us who live with a mental illness, experience some mental health struggles or maybe have a neurodivergent brain will know that sometimes we just want to have a bit of a laugh about what our minds have come up with again.

This is exactly what Frank King does. On his journey from a professional comedian to motivational speaker Frank also found out that there’s a reason why suicide runs in his family and that he is living with something called chronic suicidal ideation. In order to support people like himself and open up a conversation about suicide prevention and postvention Frank chose what he knows best - using comedy. Now Frank is a popular motivational speaker who has done multiple TEDx talks and participates in corporate and public events.

In our conversation Frank shares his own story, we discuss how we as bystanders could notice changes in people around us, what could we do to support someone with suicidal thoughts, why is it so important to talk and we also look at the abilities a mental health condition can bring along and how to best utilise them. All of this comes with a dash of healthy laughter.

TW: We cover multiple aspects of suicide throughout the conversation. Please do take a break if you need to or skip over certain parts to protect your own mental health.

Find Frank King on:
His website: https://www.thementalhealthcomedian.com/
Instagram: @mentalhealthcomedian
LinkedIn: Frank King
Twitter: @theMHcomedian
Call him: +1 858 405 5653

Suicide Crisis Support:
Extensive Worldwide list on Wikipedia
UK Helpline: https://www.samaritans.org/
US Helpline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
LV Helpline: Skalbes.lv
For more or any specific mental health support in your location - ask Google, help is there

To learn more about me go to:
Instagram: @conversations.with.my.mind
LinkedIn: Ance Vanaga
Website: https://conversationswithmymind.buzzsprout.com
Lovely music created by: Harlowe King