‘Rick And Morty’ creator shares heartfelt response to fan's question about depression

December 1, 2017

[Photo by: Adult Swim]

There’s no denying that Rick And Morty is one of our favorite TV shows, and what might be even better than the show itself? The way show creator, Dan Harmon, responded to a fan who asked him if he had any advice for someone dealing with depression. “do you have advice for dealing with depression,” Twitter user @chojuroh asked.

“For One: Admit and accept that it's happening. Awareness is everything. We put ourselves under so much pressure to feel good,” he wrote. “It's okay to feel bad. It might be something you're good it! Communicate it. DO NOT KEEP IT SECRET. Own it. Like a hat or jacket. Your feelings are real.”

And his response continues, saying: “Two: try to remind yourself, over and over, that feelings are real but they aren’t reality. Example: you can feel like life means nothing. True feeling. Important feeling. TRUE that you feel it, BUT…whether life has meaning? Not up to us. Facts and feelings: equal but different.”

He didn't stop there, though. He shared two additional tweets, providing advice for those dealing with depression. He reminds people that they are not alone and stresses the importance of getting those feelings off your chest. “You gotta get em OUT. Vent them. Tap them. I know you don't want to but try it.”

Read his additional messages of support below:

“The most important thing I can say to you is please don’t deal with it alone. There is an incredible, miraculous magic to pushing your feelings out. Even writing “I want to die” on a piece of paper and burning it will feel better than thinking about it alone. Output is magical. Dark thoughts will echo off the walls of your skull, they will distort and magnify. When you open your mouth (or an anonymous journal or blog or sketchpad), these thoughts go out. They’ll be back but you gotta get em OUT. Vent them. Tap them. I know you don’t want to but try it.”

For One: Admit and accept that it’s happening. Awareness is everything. We put ourselves under so much pressure to feel good. It’s okay to feel bad. It might be something you’re good at! Communicate it. DO NOT KEEP IT SECRET. Own it. Like a hat or jacket. Your feelings are real.

— Dan Harmon (@danharmon) November 28, 2017

Two: try to remind yourself, over and over, that feelings are real but they aren’t reality. Example: you can feel like life means nothing. True feeling. Important feeling. TRUE that you feel it, BUT…whether life has meaning? Not up to us. Facts and feelings: equal but different

— Dan Harmon (@danharmon) November 28, 2017

The most important thing I can say to you is please don’t deal with it alone. There is an incredible, miraculous magic to pushing your feelings out. Even writing “I want to die” on a piece of paper and burning it will feel better than thinking about it alone. Output is magical.

— Dan Harmon (@danharmon) November 28, 2017

Dark thoughts will echo off the walls of your skull, they will distort and magnify. When you open your mouth (or an anonymous journal or blog or sketchpad), these thoughts go out. They’ll be back but you gotta get em OUT. Vent them. Tap them. I know you don’t want to but try it.

— Dan Harmon (@danharmon) November 28, 2017

His Twitter response has since prompted praise by fans who are struggling with depression, supporting his message of hope—and using his platform share that message.

Thank you so so much for writing this. Especially the reminder that feelings are real. I needed to read this today.

— erin��❄️�� (@JaxOfBo) November 30, 2017

Thank you so much for this. You can't fathom how much I needed it today.

— Sheryl Paschke (@celtic_strgzr) November 30, 2017

Thank you for this. You did more for anxiety/depression sufferers than any pill or therapist. Own our feelings, quit hiding behind the fake smile. You're an amazing guy for taking the question so seriously.

— samantha williams (@punkinmimi) November 30, 2017

Daughter has been battling leukemia for 18 mnths & after all the advice, counsel, thoughts, etc. your last few tweets are the best advice I’ve had. TY 4 sharing this wisdom, I needed that. We’re all in this together, it’s ok to be who we are and to deal with life the best we can

— Jayson Asher (@JaysonAsh) December 1, 2017

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, there is help to be found. Please consider these online resources and talk to your regular doctor about your symptoms:
MentalHealth.gov – Get Immediate Help
ImAlive – Online Crisis Network
International Association For Suicide Prevention – Resources
The Anxiety And Depression Association Of America
The National Alliance On Mental Illness
American Psychiatric Association – Finding Help
National Institute Of Mental Health
American Psychological Association – Psychologist locator