Although Dan Harmon has had some creatively volatile moments, he is largely acknowledged to be a Good Dude. The creator of Community, Rick And Morty, and the podcast Harmontown was recently contacted by a fan on Twitter who asked him for advice on coping with depression.
@danharmon do you have advice for dealing with depression
— gary?? (@sweetrollx) November 28, 2017
While many would have simply ignored the request or fired off a quick tweet about “moving forward” or “self-care,” Harmon’s response was lengthy and quite insightful.
https://twitter.com/danharmon/status/935405103997059073
https://twitter.com/danharmon/status/935405912247779328
https://twitter.com/danharmon/status/935407256648130560
https://twitter.com/danharmon/status/935406608779173888
The excellent response drew tons of positive feedback from other users. Sometimes, the simple act of being vulnerable with others, even if it’s just online, can be beneficial.
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")
— gary?? (@sweetrollx) November 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/JeromySonne/status/935896859528318984
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
This whole thread's got me crying. Thank you. ❤️
— Stone Cold Jane Austen (@Magzdilla2early) November 30, 2017
https://twitter.com/JaxOfBo/status/936357514462969856
Output is MAGICAL! (Absolutely love this💜)
— Meika Mashack✨️ (@Meika_Mashack) December 1, 2017
So often, when we cry or reach out, it feels like no one hears. Thank you for reaching back. There's salvation, or at least the hope of it, in that.
— Rae-Leigh Dame (@MissRaeLeigh) December 1, 2017
Thank you! “Feelings are real but they aren’t reality”. You have no idea how much this helped me.
— Scott Conklin (@digital472) December 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/MarloesMb/status/936298090377699328
❤️❤️❤️ I've seen how many people this has reached and I'm the one crying!
— gary?? (@sweetrollx) November 30, 2017
User @chojuroh told Bored Panda that she reached out to Harmon because she wanted advice from “someone who suffers [from depression], but is not a professional.”
“This is the most basic, general advice I’ve been given so far, and it’s great. I participate in 4 separate therapies, and treating depression is the least of my worries. I know what works for me, but I knew it would help others for someone in the public eye to say something. Letting out your pain can do a lot of good in the long run, even if you don’t feel better right away.”
The holidays and the winter months can be especially triggering for those who deal with depression, so these words from Harmon could not have come at a better time.
(Via Bored Panda)
