Romesh Ranganathan opens up about mental health struggle

Romesh Ranganathan expressed that he is in “one of the best places I’ve ever been in my life,” following extensive mental health challenges.

During his appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, the comedian shared how running, reading, and breathing exercises helped him navigate difficult emotions.

“Acknowledgment is crucial,” he told host Lauren Laverne. “Sometimes I go through dark phases, but I recognize I need to take action.”

He voiced his uncertainty about how much of his personal mental health experiences to disclose, highlighting the importance of sensitivity: “It can be triggering for others.”

He aims to foster conversations surrounding mental health, saying, “While it’s not the norm, I want to destigmatize it so discussions can happen openly.”

“Ideally, people would discuss both physical and mental health openly, sharing their experiences. However, one must consider that some may be affected by such discussions,” he noted.

“When I mention suicidal thoughts, I must be cautious, as some may have suffered a loss related to that,” he added.

Reflecting, he said, “I don’t always succeed in this, but I believe the benefits far exceed the risks.”

At 47, he emphasized the need for prioritizing activities that positively impact his mood.

“I’ve recognized that when it comes to mental health, you engage in activities that are beneficial for you, yet you can easily stop doing them,” he shared.

He humorously recalled, “After feeling better for a week by reflecting, running, reading, or practicing breathing, you might think, ‘Why not stop now?’ and later wonder why you’re feeling worse.”

The presenter, who began his comedy journey in the early 2010s, picked songs from various artists including Kanye West and Huey Lewis for the Sunday broadcast of Desert Island Discs.

Ranganathan, who co-hosts a weekend show on BBC Radio 2, shared insights about his family’s migration from Sri Lanka to the UK in 1970, prior to his birth eight years later.

He reminisced, “My dad was quite the whirlwind. Arriving in England, subjected to a new lifestyle, he dove into British culture eagerly.”

With a chuckle, he noted, “Perhaps he could have set a few more boundaries, but he was the life of the party.”

He mentioned one of his significant regrets is not fully understanding his mother’s struggles when she moved to the UK at 19.

“Unlike my dad, who worked and socialized, my mum, at home raising children, faced a different reality. It’s remarkable to consider a 19-year-old girl in a new country; truly, my mum is one of my heroes,” Ranganathan expressed.

He recalled that at age 12, his father’s financial issues spiraled, leading to a period of unemployment and later imprisonment for fraud, which Ranganathan found challenging during his adolescence.

Reflecting on his mental health journey, he acknowledged periods of suicidal thoughts but emphasized his current positive state: “I can genuinely say this is one of the best phases I’ve experienced in my life mentally.”