In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we explore the stories of Latinx comedians who have used humor as a means to deal with personal trauma and life’s obstacles. Discover their journeys in this series.
Comedy has been a vessel for me, blending who I am with what I’m meant to do. Diagnosed with depression at 14, I soon realized how different my upbringing was compared to my peers, with the heaviness of loss shaping my worldview while they fixated on trivial adolescent concerns. My path into comedy came from a place of deep existential searching, prompted by losing loved ones, including my mother and grandmother.
These profound losses set me on a long journey of therapy, and comedy provided a way for me to reconstruct and understand the narrative of my life, adding levity to memories that once were purely painful.
As a child, unaware of my mother’s passing, I called my grandmother Mama. Observant and nurturing, she encouraged my vibrant personality to flourish, using my innocent curiosity to create performances for our visitors in the Bronx, NY—my own version of Hollywood.
My humor became a shield and a tool for survival when living with my father’s family after my grandmother’s death. The complexity of family dynamics and the feeling of being an outsider in my own home made my comedic outlook a necessary coping mechanism.
During my high school years, my sense of displacement grew, leading to envy and a heightened awareness of mortality. I used humor to dissociate from the pain, a practice that ultimately brought me face to face with my own unhappiness. It wasn’t until I found comedy online that I started to understand how to harness my experiences and find my authentic comedic voice.
Now, with a sitcom-esque view of my family life and navigating between cultures, I use humor to unpack the tensions that arise with themes like gender roles and political differences. Despite conflicts, we use humor to ground ourselves and connect.
Comedy turned into my therapy as I embraced it to form bonds and build a supportive community, helping me through challenging times. It became a mode of connection and healing, which blossomed further when my content went viral on Instagram in 2015, kickstarting my career in comedy and acting.
For Latines, particularly immigrants and their children, comedy is a space to tell our stories, honor our identities, and cope with the dual reality of our existences. It testifies to our capacity for joy and the constant quest to carve out our place in society.
Today, I see every moment as potential material, which propels me to jot down thoughts and weave them into my work. Striking a balance between personal growth and respecting my heritage is a crucial part of my mental health journey. Humor intertwines with daily life and surfaces in the most ordinary or challenging of circumstances.
Humor can act as a source of inspiration, something I encourage others to explore—it could spark your next creative endeavor. I strive to be a comedian who disarms, engages, and challenges my audience, with a commitment to authenticity in all its forms.
Comedy reminds me to embrace my life, to reject comparison, and to cultivate gratitude—it’s a potent remedy against depression’s grip.
FAQ About Comedy and Mental Health
- How can comedy help with depression?
Comedy can serve as an outlet for expressing emotions and turning pain into laughter. It can also foster connection and community, which are important for someone dealing with depression. - Did Sasha Merci use comedy professionally to deal with her depression?
Yes, Sasha Merci used comedy as a therapeutic tool and eventually turned it into a career, sharing her stories and gaining a following through her humor. - Is it common for comedians to have a history of depression or trauma?
Many comedians have turned to comedy as a way to cope with their struggles, but it’s important to understand that each individual’s experience with depression and trauma is unique.
Conclusion
Sasha Merci’s experience is a testament to the transformative power of comedy. Through her journey, she has demonstrated how humor can illuminate the darkest corners of depression, providing solace, connection, and an avenue for creative expression. Her candid sharing of how comedy has shaped her confrontations with life’s greatest adversities offers both inspiration and proof of the resilience that comes through laughter and the embrace of one’s story. As we reflect on Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s crucial to recognize and support diverse ways individuals find healing, and for some, like Sasha Merci, comedy has been a vital key to their wellbeing.