Comedian Al Porter recently opened up about his personal mental health issues. On a recent episode of The Cutting Edge with Brendan O’Connor 23-year-old Al revealed for the first time that he takes antidepressants.
The Tallaght native has now spoken out about general mental health struggles, believing that everyone suffers from time to time but it’s publicised more when comedians do, because the audiences only see them at their happiest.
Speaking to The Herald Al said, “I don’t know if it’s real. Everyone, no matter who you are, has their own issues in life and everyone’s life is a melting pot of good and bad, and some people have more of one than the other.
“The reason why it’s more interesting when it’s comedians is because, most of the time, the only time people get to see us is when we’re having the craic.”
The funnyman has been contacted by thousands of well-wishers since making his honest admission, and is now taking part in a number of mental health talks in an effort to help others. He’s also determined not to let his own battle change him.
“Everybody was very supportive and off the back of that I’ll be helping out with some things. Senator Lynn Ruane, who is a very impressive woman, is putting on Tallaght Talks, a big open forum on mental health, in December.
“I’ve done about six different stand-up shows and I still talk about all the normal funny stuff I do, so it hasn’t changed me,” he said.
