The Mental Illness Happy Hour is a free weekly podcast featuring one-on-one interviews with a variety of artists, authors, musicians, doctors, and others who struggle with mental illnesses or have experienced mental illness with their friends or family.

What is particularly unique is its combination of entertainment and self-help hosted by comedian and television personality Paul Gilmartin. Paul was the regular host of the TBS show Dinner and a Movie, and has had other television appearances such as Comedy Central Presents: Paul Gilmartin as well as on Bill Maher’s Politically Incorrect, before beginning The Mental Illness Happy Hour in 2011. Essentially, the podcast expands on the trope that comedians exploit their own personal struggles and internal turmoil in entertaining self-mockery. He is very open about his diagnosis with clinical depression and tackles some very heavy topics with his weekly guests.

Currently there are over 280 archived episodes.  Subjects range from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to depression, addiction, gender identity issues and childhood trauma. I should also note that it is interesting to see how each guest recounts their personal history with mental illness within the context of the era and location.  In addition to the podcast there are also affiliated guest blogs.

The Mental Illness Happy Hour has received acclaim from The New York Times and Psychology Today.

For further reading you can find an A.V. Club interview with Paul Gilmartin, recounting his favorite guests on the show.

Catch The Mental Illness Happy Hour at: http://mentalpod.com/