Ranganathan Opens Up On Health Journey

The Unseen Struggle: Romesh Ranganathan’s Journey to Mental Wellness

The comedian Romesh Ranganathan, a familiar face on British television and radio, has shared that he currently feels better than he ever has before, following a prolonged period of difficulty with his personal wellness. In a candid conversation, the celebrated entertainer detailed his journey through periods of deep struggle, including thoughts of suicide. He shared the simple, yet effective, routines he now relies on to maintain his wellbeing, offering a message of hope and the importance of open dialogue. His story peels back the layers of his deadpan public persona, revealing a history shaped by family turmoil and a persistent, private battle for mental equilibrium.

Finding Centre on a Desert Island

During an appearance on the Desert Island Discs program for BBC Radio 4, the entertainer explained to host Lauren Laverne that he relies on specific activities to maintain his equilibrium. These methods, including running, dedicating time to books, and practicing certain breathing techniques, have been crucial tools for him, particularly after experiencing thoughts about ending his life. His discussion illuminated a proactive approach to managing his wellness, one built on consistent, deliberate action rather than waiting for a crisis to hit.

The Power of Acknowledgment

A crucial part of Ranganangan's philosophy is the power of recognition. He stated that acknowledging a problem's existence is a significant part of overcoming it. This self-awareness allows him to understand when he needs to deploy his coping strategies. Instead of being passively consumed by difficult emotional phases, he now understands the necessity of taking proactive steps to address his feelings. This perspective shifts the narrative from one of helpless suffering to one of empowered self-management, a message he hopes can resonate with others.

A Public Figure’s Responsibility

The television and radio personality admitted to feeling uncertain about the extent to which he should reveal his personal experiences with mental well-being. He highlighted the need for caution, acknowledging that such discussions can be upsetting or distressing for some individuals. This mindfulness informs his approach, highlighting the immense responsibility that comes with a public platform. He wrestles with how much to share, always balancing the desire to help with the need to protect vulnerable listeners from further pain, a testament to his thoughtful engagement with the topic.

Image Credit - BBC

Making the Conversation Normal

Despite the risks, Ranganathan is a firm advocate for open discussion. His approach, he detailed, involves discussing these topics to help make them seem less taboo. He aims to cultivate an environment where these feelings are openly discussed, not because they are standard but to remove the stigma and foster regular dialogue around them. He drew a parallel to physical health, suggesting that people would ideally be just as open about psychological matters and their associated emotions.

Weighing the Risks and Rewards

The comedian acknowledges that navigating these sensitive topics is not always straightforward. He must be sensitive to individuals who have lost a loved one that way or have faced similar crises themselves. He mentioned that if he reveals he has considered taking his own life, he must be considerate of those who might have personal connections to these subjects. He concluded that while one might not always handle these conversations perfectly, the potential benefits make the effort worthwhile.

The Self-Care Paradox

With his characteristic humour, Ranganathan pointed out a curious human tendency related to mental wellness. He observed a common pattern where individuals find effective strategies but then inexplicably cease using them. He humorously illustrated this by describing how someone might feel great after a week of reflection, running, or reading, only to arbitrarily stop the routine. Then, several weeks down the line, that person is left confused about why their emotional state has declined so much. This relatable observation demystifies the process of wellness maintenance, framing it as a continuous practice.

From Classroom to Comedy Club

Before becoming a household name, Ranganathan’s career path was markedly different. He worked as a mathematics teacher at Hazelwick School in Crawley, the same state school he had attended as a student. The decision to leave a stable teaching job for the unpredictable world of stand-up comedy was not taken lightly. He began performing at comedy nights while still teaching, viewing it initially as a hobby. However, as he started getting more paid gigs and eventually signed with an agent, the transition became a logical next step. His background in teaching provided him with invaluable crowd control skills.

A Tumultuous Adolescence

Ranganathan’s teenage years were marked by profound instability, which had a significant impact on his psychological state. Around the age of 12, his comfortable family life unravelled with shocking speed. His father, an accountant, faced severe financial problems after losing his employment, leading to the repossession of their family home. This crisis was compounded by the revelation of his father's infidelity and, most traumatically, his subsequent arrest for fraud. The convergence of these events during his formative years created an incredibly challenging environment.

His Father’s Complicated Shadow

His father, Ranga, was a man of contrasts. He is remembered as a dynamic personality who fully immersed himself in English society upon his arrival from Sri Lanka in 1970. He was always the center of attention at any gathering. However, this vibrant personality was also caught in financial schemes, which his son described as a "Sri Lankan Del Boy" effort to earn money that ultimately failed. The subsequent arrest and two-year prison sentence for fraud cast a long shadow over the family. Ranganathan reflects on his father, who passed away in 2011, with a nuanced perspective.

The Quiet Strength of His Mother

In his reflections, Ranganathan holds a special place for his mother, Shanthi. He expresses deep regret for not fully understanding the immense challenges she encountered upon moving to the UK at nineteen years old. While his father’s work provided an immediate social network, his mother was often isolated at home, raising two young sons in an unfamiliar culture. When the family’s finances collapsed, she took on numerous jobs to provide for them. Following the house repossession, she, Romesh, and his brother ended up living in a single room. He now regards her resilience as nothing short of heroic.

Image Credit - Dorset Live

Chronicling a Life in ‘Straight Outta Crawley’

Many of these formative experiences are detailed in Ranganathan’s 2018 autobiography, Straight Outta Crawley. The book charts his journey from being a child with a lazy eye in West Sussex to his career as a maths teacher and his eventual rise in the world of comedy. Written with his signature self-deprecating humour, the memoir does not shy away from the darker periods of his life. It provides an unflinching look at the family’s financial ruin and his father’s imprisonment, cementing the connection between his personal history and the observational style of his comedy.

Humour as a Defensive Art

Ranganathan’s comedy frequently draws upon his own life, turning his insecurities and difficult experiences into material. Topics like his family, his Sri Lankan heritage, and his personal anxieties are staples of his stand-up routines. He has noted that using humour can be a powerful coping mechanism. By joking about things that once caused him pain, such as being bullied for his lazy eye, he takes control of the narrative. It is a strategy of getting the first word in, a defensive manoeuvre that transforms potential vulnerabilities into sources of laughter.

Exploring Anxiety in ‘Avoidance’

This exploration of personal struggle extends to his fictional work. Ranganathan co-wrote and stars in the BBC sitcom Avoidance. In the series, he plays Jonathan, a man with severe conflict-avoidance issues whose partner leaves him. The character is forced to confront his inability to handle difficult situations for the sake of his young son. The show’s gentle, bittersweet tone is a departure from his sharper stand-up persona, offering a more nuanced and dramatic look at themes of anxiety and denial that mirror aspects of his own self-confessed "beta maledom."

A Calming Voice on the Airwaves

The host of a weekend program on BBC Radio 2, Ranganathan has a role that allows for a different kind of public interaction. His show combines music, listener features, and celebrity interviews, creating a more intimate and conversational space. This position adds another dimension to his public persona, moving beyond the stand-up stage to become a regular, reassuring voice in the lives of millions. It reinforces his image as a relatable figure, one who is navigating the same everyday concerns as his audience.

The Physicality of Mental Wellness

The comedian consistently highlights running as a key component of his wellness strategy. This is not just a passing mention; it reflects a well-understood connection between physical exertion and psychological wellbeing. Exercise is scientifically proven to boost mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression through the release of endorphins and by regulating stress hormones. For Ranganathan, the simple act of running provides a tangible, effective way to reset his mind and body, demonstrating the profound link between physical health and mental resilience.

Image Credit - BBC

Challenging Masculine Norms

By speaking so openly about his vulnerabilities, Ranganathan plays a crucial role in challenging outdated masculine stereotypes. Traditionally, men have been discouraged from showing emotional weakness, a societal pressure that often leads to silent suffering. Public figures like Ranganathan, who candidly discuss therapy and suicidal thoughts, help to dismantle these harmful norms. Their honesty creates permission for other men to acknowledge their own struggles and seek help without shame. This contribution to the broader cultural conversation is one of the most significant impacts of his advocacy.

A Forum for the Nation

His award-winning topical comedy show, The Ranganation, provides another platform for his mission of open dialogue. The programme features a diverse focus group of 25 Britons who discuss current events, from major political news to lighter trending topics. The format, which was adapted to be filmed from his garage during lockdown, is designed to capture a genuine cross-section of modern British opinion. By facilitating these conversations, Ranganathan explores how national events affect ordinary people, consistently promoting the value of sharing different perspectives.

An Anxious Traveller’s Guide

Ranganathan’s various travel documentaries, including the BAFTA-winning The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan and Asian Provocateur, add another layer to his public exploration of self. In these series, he is often thrust into uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations in different parts of the world. These scenarios serve as a perfect backdrop for his brand of observational and often anxious humour. They showcase his personal growth as he navigates cultural differences and personal challenges. Shanthi, his mother, often steals the show with her own hilarious commentary.

A Future Built on Learned Lessons

Today, Romesh Ranganathan stands in a place of mental strength, but he is clear that this is not a final victory. His current state of wellbeing is the product of sustained effort and the consistent application of the coping strategies he has developed. Recently, he has spoken about recalibrating his famously busy work schedule to spend more time at home with his wife and three sons. This is not a retirement, but a measured step back, a conscious decision to prioritise the life he has built, demonstrating that true success includes the health of one's mind and family.

His journey from a tumultuous childhood in Crawley to national treasure status is a powerful narrative of resilience. Ranganathan’s willingness to transform his private pain into public conversation offers an invaluable example. By blending his trademark humour with raw honesty, he demystifies the experience of mental illness and champions the simple, everyday work required to maintain one's balance. His story is a testament to the idea that recognising the struggle is the first step, and talking about it is the path to collective healing.