Mental Health Journey
Romesh Ranganathan has said that he is in "one of the best places I’ve ever been in my life" after years of struggling with his mental health. In a conversation with BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, the comedian described how he had used breathing exercises to help himself after previously having thoughts of suicide.
Overcoming Dark Times
"It’s half the battle," he said. "Sometimes I just go through a dark time and I know that I have to do something about it." Ranganathan also said that he often feels conflicted about how much of his own mental health journey he should share publicly, noting that "you have to be careful because it triggers [for other people]". He tries to normalize the feeling, not that it is normal, but to make it more relatable.
The Importance of Sensitivity
Ranganathan emphasized the need to be sensitive when discussing mental health, particularly when sharing personal experiences. "You would speak openly about physical illnesses, ideally you would talk about it [mental health] openly and you would express all of these things, but you also have to make sure that people may have been affected," he said. "And when I suddenly say I have thought about taking my own life and someone lost someone through that or they had these moments themselves, you have to be sensitive."
Personal Growth
The 47-year-old comedian has learned that it is essential to take time for activities that he knows will make him feel better. "One of the things I noticed in mental health is that they do things that work, and it has proven that it works for them personally, and for some reason they just stop," he said. Ranganathan has chosen to prioritize self-care and make time for activities that bring him joy, such as running, reading, and breathing exercises.
Family and Upbringing
Ranganathan also spoke about his family’s move from Sri Lanka to Great Britain in 1970, before he was born. His father was a bit of a "tornado" who threw himself into British life, while his mother struggled to adjust to her new surroundings. Ranganathan’s father was later arrested and imprisoned for two years for fraud when Romesh was a teenager.
A Heroic Mother
Ranganathan’s mother, Shanthi, is one of his heroes. He regrets not having enough empathy or understanding of the situation she faced when she moved to Great Britain at the age of 19. "My mother is at home and goes into the shop and does everything, but now I think about it is a 19-year-old girl who had children in a foreign country," he said. Ranganathan’s father passed away in 2011, and he has struggled with his mental health throughout his life, particularly during his teenage years when his father was in prison.
A Journey of Self-Discovery
Despite the challenges he has faced, Ranganathan is now in a good place mentally. "I went through a number of suicidal thoughts in my life," he said, but added: "While I am now talking, this is close to one of the best places that I have ever been mentally." Ranganathan’s journey is a testament to the importance of self-care, sensitivity, and seeking help when needed.
