Podcast Summary: No Feeling Is Final – Episode: Honor & Eddie

Release Date: October 18, 2018

Introduction

In this bonus episode of No Feeling Is Final, host Anna engages in a heartfelt conversation with actor, musician, and comedian Eddie Perfect. The discussion revolves around Perfect's involvement in the creation of the song "Don't Kill Yourself," featured in the series' final episode, and delves into the intricate balance between comedy and mental health advocacy.

Eddie Perfect's Role and the Song Development

Eddie Perfect recounts his initial engagement with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) regarding a week of mental health programming aimed at destigmatizing mental health issues through various formats, including a variety show that leveraged comedy as a medium.

Eddie Perfect [01:24]: "I was up for a chat... And can you write a song? And I was like, that's what I do... I kind of write songs."

Perfect describes the significant pressure he felt while tasked with writing "Don't Kill Yourself," expressing his anxiety over crafting a song that could responsibly address the sensitive topic of suicide without trivializing it.

Eddie Perfect [02:54]: "The problem with mental health is the target is often ignorant... I didn't know what the target was."

Challenges in Creating Mental Health-Related Comedy

Perfect articulates the complexities of using satire and humor in the context of mental health. He highlights the difficulty in identifying appropriate targets for comedy in this realm, unlike his usual approach of "punching up" against clear societal or institutional targets.

Eddie Perfect [02:55]: "The rule in comedy is, you always punch up. I'm like, who am I punching here?"

He details the ABC's apprehension regarding the song's blunt message, leading to extensive discussions and concerns about potential negative impacts.

Eddie Perfect [05:00]: "One of the big things I was really worried about was, like, if you write a song called Don't Kill Yourself, what if someone hears that song and then they kill themselves?"

Despite these concerns, the song received positive feedback from mental health professionals like Patrick McGorry, who appreciated its blend of humor and awareness-raising intent.

Impact and Reception of "Don't Kill Yourself"

Although the ABC loved the song's essence, apprehensions about its reception led to strategic placement within the show, ensuring it didn't serve as the opening piece to mitigate potential distress.

Eddie Perfect [05:00]: "They decided it would be better to open the show with something else and to put it further back in the show in case it died at death."

Perfect reflects on his subsequent work, noting improvements in addressing mental health topics through satire in later projects, such as his song "Get Over It."

Eddie Perfect [06:00]: "I wrote a song called Get over it... I thought that was way more sort of successful as a satirical thing."

Anna's Personal Reflections on the Song

Anna shares her personal experience with mental health services, expressing how "Don't Kill Yourself" resonated with her feelings of prolonged struggle and the inadequacies of the commonly suggested mantra, "just ask for help."

Anna [06:15]: "That song made me feel like in some ways it made me feel more lonely because I felt like I wasn't doing it right."

She articulates the song's unintended effect of amplifying her sense of isolation, highlighting the gap between well-intentioned messages and individual experiences with mental health challenges.

Discussion on Comedy's Role in Mental Health

The conversation deepens into the role of comedy in addressing mental health issues. Perfect acknowledges the personal nature of effective humor, emphasizing that his lack of personal experience with severe mental health struggles limited his ability to authentically engage with the topic through comedy.

Eddie Perfect [09:25]: "It's very hard to be funny about something that you know is not personally affecting you... I just don't have it."

He contrasts his approach with that of comedians who draw from personal adversity, suggesting that authenticity is crucial for comedy to resonate genuinely in such sensitive contexts.

Eddie Perfect [10:00]: "Comedy really is so personal... You're taking something potentially embarrassing or shameful or complex or dark or taboo that you have personal experience of, and you're finding a way to let other people experience it and laugh through you."

Conclusion and Resources

As the episode concludes, Anna emphasizes the importance of seeking support and provides resources for listeners experiencing distress. She encourages engaging in personal coping mechanisms and reaching out through available support networks.

Anna [12:08]: "If you're feeling overwhelmed or in crisis, help is available... In Australia, you can contact Lifeline at 13 11 14..."

Anna also invites listeners to connect with the Big Feels Club for community support and additional resources, reinforcing the podcast's mission to foster understanding and dialogue around mental health.

Key Takeaways

• Balancing Humor and Sensitivity: Eddie Perfect's experience underscores the delicate balance required when using comedy to address mental health, emphasizing the need for authenticity and respectful engagement with the subject matter.

• Impact of Messaging: The episode highlights how well-intentioned messages can have varied impacts on individuals, stressing the importance of nuanced approaches in mental health advocacy.

• Personal Connection: Anna's reflections reveal the significance of personal experiences in shaping one's response to mental health narratives, advocating for individualized support and understanding.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "The rule in comedy is, you always punch up. I'm like, who am I punching here?" — Eddie Perfect [02:55]

• "That song made me feel like in some ways it made me feel more lonely because I felt like I wasn't doing it right." — Anna [06:15]

• "Comedy really is so personal... You're taking something potentially embarrassing or shameful or complex or dark or taboo that you have personal experience of, and you're finding a way to let other people experience it and laugh through you." — Eddie Perfect [10:00]

Resources Mentioned

• Big Feels Club: A community for individuals to discuss and process emotions related to mental health. [Find more information online]

• Lifeline (Australia): 13 11 14

• Suicide Callback Service (Australia): 1300 659 467

• FindAHelpline.com: For free, confidential support in various countries.

Final Thoughts

This episode of No Feeling Is Final offers a profound exploration of the intersections between comedy and mental health advocacy. Through the candid dialogue between Anna and Eddie Perfect, listeners gain insight into the challenges of addressing sensitive topics with humor and the importance of authentic, empathetic communication in fostering mental well-being.