The animated television show “Rick and Morty” is equal parts existential dread and bathroom humor. The series' hilarious and madcap, yet oddly depressing and nihilistic, approach to the adventures of a drunken, sociopathic scientist and his dorky grandson is part of what has made it as unique as it is popular in the realm of adult cartoons.
But that isn’t to say co-creator Dan Harmon — also the mind behind "Community" — is encouraging viewers to dive into sadness and give up on life. Actually, quite the opposite.
When a Twitter user approached him asking for advice on dealing with depression, Harmon offered a genuinely thoughtful response.
@danharmon do you have advice for dealing with depression
— charming taint man (@chojuroh) November 28, 2017
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
Harmon advised the user to “admit and accept that it’s happening,” reminded them that "feelings are real, but they aren’t reality,” and that, in the end, “output is magical,” whether that be sketching out your feelings or burning a piece a paper inscribed with dark thoughts to a crisp.
Many thanked Harmon for his useful, sympathetic response.
sorry I'm kinda star struck rn so I'm having a hard time articulating anything other than thank you so goddamn much for all of this. Probably better than my therapist could've said it. (And my boyfriend: "TELL HIM THANK YOU AND THAT WE SUBSCRIBE TO HARMONTOWN")
— charming taint man (@chojuroh) November 28, 2017
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 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
thank you for writing this. it took me years to accept that there will be highs and lows and I still struggle with it to this day. but reminders like these help a lot
— Jessica (@kunarkills) December 1, 2017
Nevertheless, Harmon being Harmon, he ended on a characteristically cynical note.
Taking another Twitter break, I’ll be back when I‘ve acquired enough happiness to quench our altar, So May it Please The Bird With No Eye
— Dan Harmon (@danharmon) November 30, 2017
Well there you go, then.
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