You Are Not Alone – Wayne Brady, Award winning Comedian, Clinical Depression
Best known as the hilarious improv comedian from ‘Whose Line is it Anyway?’, Wayne Brady has won countless awards for making people laugh. Behind the camera though, the comedian is fighting a tough battle with depression.
Wayne Brady shot to fame on the improvisational TV show ‘Whose Line is it Anyway?’. His comedic skills and energetic personality earned him the praise of millions of people around the world and countless awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance - Variety Or Music Program in 2003.
In November 2014, Wayne Brady revealed that beneath his smiling face and outgoing personality, was a man wrestling with the demons of Clinical Depression. For a long time he kept this secret battle to himself, until the death of fellow comedian Robin Williams spurred him to speak publically about his condition; revealing to the world a secret he had kept hidden for so long.
"I think that when you keep these secrets, and something that you learn as you read more and go into treatments and get help is, that these secrets kill"
- Wayne Brady
For many years, depression had a large effect on Wayne Brady’s life and it wasn't until June 2014, after his 42nd birthday, that he knew he needed to seek help.
"I was there by myself, in my bedroom, and had a complete breakdown…When I say breakdown, go ahead and imagine for yourself: just a brother, in his underwear, in his room crying. On that birthday was the beginning of 'OK, I've got to make a change.' "
– Wayne Brady
Wayne Brady is now receiving treatment for his illness, and it is helping him on his road to recovery. He hopes that his admission will not only help inspire others to speak out about their own personal, but to also seek treatment for their condition.
"I talked about it (because) I know not everyone is lucky enough to have a support system to talk, and you may have a wall up that stands between you and help…It may be pride, cultural stigma, shame or just plain old 'I've got this!' I've had all the above! If me talking about my personal journey helps someone, it's all worth it."
– Wayne Brady