Hector Bruno has been absent from the stage for six years. On his comeback, he tells Jennifer Grech that even comedians can suffer from depression.

Sunday marks the beginning of a five-month period of shorter, darker days.

Putting the clocks back is associated with an increase in the rate of unipolar depressive episodes. Yet while changes in the weather may affect our mental well-being, depression does not wear a watch – it can fall like a wet blanket out of a blue or black sky.

And it can stalk anyone, irrespective of age and sex. Even those whose aim, and career, is making people laugh, can suffer depression.

It’s unclear how many comedians struggle with mental challenges such as depression, but many of the most familiar names have talked and joked about the issue: from Woody Allen and Robin Williams to John Belushi, Paolo Villaggio and Jerry Lewis. And since laughter is a form of wit, it could be that comedians can use their nimble mind to run circles around depression, maybe outpace it.

Hector Bruno uses his wit and imagination to create humour. But he acknowledges that humour cannot be a buffer against depression.

After a six-year break from television and stage, Mr Bruno recounts the experience he went through while combating depression.

“Depression knows no boundaries, just like all other disorders after all,” he says.

“Being a comedian capable of creating the whole gamut of laughter – from making someone smile to bringing the house down – does not mean you are exempt from depression.

“Comedians are no different from all those who suffer depression. Everyone reacts to it in different ways and although there are no specifics for one and all, even comedians have to consult experts to pinpoint the cause. Depression is unpleasant as much as it is mysterious.”

Anxiety, loneliness, fatigue, loss of appetite and stress are always around the corner ready to pounce. The presence of all these indicators cannot go unchecked for long and the earlier one decides to speak, share and seek professional help, the better.

Popular personalities, mostly those working in the entertainment industry, cause quite a stir when it becomes known that they suffer from depression, mostly because of the way they project themselves.

“Comedians do not need to be depressed to be funny, surely not. In some cases, it comes naturally for human beings to have a laugh or make others laugh even during unlucky episodes. Unfortunately, even where mental health is the issue, just try and remember the countless jokes you have heard about patients in mental institutions or with mental problems,” points out Mr Bruno.

Depression is unpleasant as much as it is mysterious

“In Malta, the majority have come to accept that there is no place for such jokes and that whoever aspires to become a comedian must be able to capture his audience’s attention without resorting to jokes that may hurt people. One must always be careful what to say as audiences are always a mix of characters,” he adds.

Adapting to an audience is also critical. Toilet humour, vulgar and offensive language are to be used depending on what type of audience you are entertaining and, even more importantly, the way they are told and by who.

“Personally, I always try to steer clear away from vulgar and offensive jokes, even though they are the easier medium. They are a shortcut to humour. But you always have to keep in mind that the audience has come to see me perform.

“This also applies to political and religious satire and situations about you and others: properly presented and not intended to hurt but to make comic remarks about things that need to be addressed. Satire is one of the most sublime forms of how human relations can grow,” continues Mr Bruno.

“Six years since I had to stop working – television and the theatre had for long become my full-time occupation – after professional advice and a huge amount of pressure from those close to me, I have decided to make a return at the end of this month thanks to Teatru Rjal, during which I will be reviving some popular characters I played in the last 20 years: Grezzju Carabott, the government messenger; the elderly lady living in a home and who is always going down to have a word with her inmates in the yard; the president of the San Katald fireworks factory; Queen Elizabeth, Raffaella Carra; police sergeant Nardu Bugeja and dame Ziggie Lulu.

“I wrote the script and Ronald Briffa will be compèring the evening. Production is by Pawlu Testa. A number of actors, singers and an orchestra led by Maestro Joe Brown will be accompanying me.

“I pray to God to help me while dedicating the evening to the memory of my father Karmenu and my sister-in-law Grace who passed away during the years I was missing from the scene.”

For those who still value clean comedy that comes as a result of original thinking rather than just pandering to the lowest denominator, Mr Bruno’s work should be seen as positive. Hopefully future stand-up comics will take account of his example.

Mental health awareness

The month of October raises awareness about mental health issues.

Despite how often one hears the term ‘depression’, it is still a largely misunderstood and stigmatised disease. Perhaps for this reason, depression is one of the top causes of disability around the world, as many people may not seek the treatment they need.

An estimated 300 million people around the world are living with depression. That’s an increase of more than 18 per cent between 2005 and 2015, according to the World Health Organisation.

There is a combination of symptoms that characterises depression, including low mood, loss of positivity, feeling guilty or worthless, sleep disturbances, fatigue, lack of energy, changes in appetite, loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed and thoughts of death or suicide.

Mill-Ġdid Hector is being staged at the Catholic Institute in Floriana today and tomorrow at 7.30pm and on Sunday at 6pm.