![]() ![]() Guys like George Carlin sharing their ideas. There was a journalistic aspect that I saw in comedy. At the same time, I was being exposed to ideas and stories and things about the world that I wasn’t exposed to before. I remember being really young listening to Chris Rock and feeling like I was hearing things that I wasn’t supposed to hear at that age. Sometimes when I use the term “psychiatric survivor,” people actually say to me, “what does that mean?” Did using your comedy in the space of the psychiatric survivor movement-and for yourself personally-did that help you to heal from the abuse you experienced?įlannery: I guess the first question is how did I get started? When I was a kid, I was really into stand-up comedy. I kind of prefer now “ex-mental patient,” although that doesn’t really get to the point of being a survivor of something. Once I open my mouth and say things then it’s trouble. But the reality is, I’d be too scared to be a mental patient again. I’ve gotten support through hearing voices groups, and that kind of thing. Since I’ve had this experience of becoming a voice hearer, and given my previous experiences, I sure as hell wasn’t going to go to a mental hospital to ask for help. The trouble with it is I don’t think people really know what I’m talking about, and so lately I’ve been using the term “ex-mental patient,” which feels a little more appropriate. How did that come about and what was your experience as a comedian in this space? Do you identify as a psych survivor?įlannery: That’s the term that I’ve used. To start with, I wanted to ask you about your experience as Flim Jannery, the comedian. I’m also an artist, so we both have used the arts in our work and in our lives, so I’m excited to talk to you about that. Jervert: I’m also a voice hearer, so I feel this will be a really interesting, wonderful conversation between two peers. Jim Flannery: Thank you for talking to me, and having me here. Karin Jervert: Thanks so much for being here, Jim. ![]() Listen to the audio of the interview here. The transcript below has been edited for length and clarity. He shifted his creative efforts towards hip-hop, believing the genre was the best medium to communicate his perspective. In 2020, Jim began hearing voices, which opened his eyes to what he terms a genocide against neurodiverse people. Later, he turned to the arts to speak out publicly about his experiences with the mental health system through performing stand-up comedy under the pseudonym Flim Jannery and now through music with his new album, “ Sorry, It’s Not Funny,” which will be released on Friday, October 14. There he received the best care available in the modern world… torture, which included seclusion, restraints, forced drugging, coercion, and a psychiatric diagnosis. This week on the Mad in America podcast, we are joined by activist and artist Jim Flannery.īorn and raised in suburban Weathersfield, Connecticut, Jim was committed at four mental hospitals across the United States. ![]()
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