ThroughThe Far Side, Gary Larson had a knack for giving funny takes on heavy topics like mental health. Mental health is something that everyone seems to struggle with at some point in their lives. It was one of Larson’s most relatable topics to dwell on, and he never shied away from how seriously darkFar Side’sthemes get.
Somehow, Gary Larson always found a way to pull something hilarious fromdisturbing subject matter forFar Side.This is also especially perfect for readers who are actively struggling with their mental health in real life.Comic strips like these allow readers to take a break from spiraling about their daily stressors in favor of laughingat Gary Larson’s masterpieces.
10"Almost Like I’m Being Followed"
First Published: July 23, 2025
The root of mental health struggles can be overthinking, something that can kill the best minds on the planet. And there’s no worse form of overthinking to overcome than paranoia. Some victims remain paranoid and anxious about obstacles that have yet to happen or irrational fears like being followed. Then again, as the saying goes, it’s not paranoia if it’s true.
In one of Gary Larson’smost clever therapyFar Sidecomics, one gentleman might feel validated during his session as he expresses his own fears of being followed. Little does he or his therapist know that not only is there a culprit following him, but he is quite literally under the patient’s nose, or, more accurately, his derrière.
9An Ugly Duckling Finds Its Beauty
First Published: July 08, 2025
Oftentimes, internal struggles with mental health can warp someone’s own perceptions of themselves. A person with depression may have a perception of the world that can reflect back on them as a mirror, meaning that if they can’t find the beauty in life, they’ll struggle to find beauty in themselves. In a twist of the Ugly Duckling trope, this duck doesn’t have that problem.
An animal that is objectively hideous views itself as a gorgeous swan. It’s actually oddly inspiring for anyone struggling with their self-perception. Even if it’s denial or being oblivious to reality, it’s a fake-it-till-you-make-it mentality that helps build confidence and self-worth. If this ugly duckling can find beauty in itself, so can you.
8"Crisis Clinic"
First Published: July 22, 2025
When wrapped up in a personal crisis, it’s easy to feel alone with no one to turn to. It’s easy to forget that everyone is going through crises of their own. Yes, even the Crisis Clinic can find itself in a crisis, as seen in a strip that makes it painfully clear that theseFar Sidecharacters are all doomed.
On the bright side, one person dealing with a crisis in their life can at least feel better knowing that their crisis can’t be as bad as this clinic’s crisis. To even begin to try contemplating who could bail the Crisis Clinic out of a crisis is the real conundrum.
7"Maybe It’s the Rest of the Herd That’s Gone Insane"
First Published: August 13, 2025
Anyone who has gone to therapy may have felt as if they were going insane when they first started going, largely because of common stereotypes associated with those who attend. There is a herd mentality to the generalization that therapy is just formentally unwell people.
Gary Larson puts a twist on the herd mentality term by applying it to actual cow herds. Withcows beingFar Side’srecurring characters, it’s not surprising that this is one of the funniest comics about cows. In this one, the cow is skeptical about any perceived insanity he has, compared to the herd being insane instead.
6"Ned is Visited by the Chicken of Depression"
First Published: June 17, 2025
The Chicken of DepressionisThe Far Side’smasterclass on how to be on the nose, but it’s also an unsuspecting view of what depression looks like to many of those who suffer from it. No, it isn’t a literal chicken staring at them from a windowsill, but it’s an absurdity that can’t be explained, only felt and understood.
Depression means something different to everyone, but usually, it’s encapsulated by a feeling more than a series of words. Depression is something that no one realizes they have until it happens to them, staring them dead in the face, much like a chicken does from outside a window.
5"I’ve Been Turning Into a Miserable Creature"
First Published: July 13, 2025
While dealing with mental health issues, the reason why so many victims find themselves suffering in silence is because they fear that proclaiming their issues to the world is enough to share those problems with others. After all, no one wants to be mistaken for being a bore, or worse, miserable for being depressed.
Even the classic horror movie monstersoften parodied onThe Far Sidedon’t want to be seen as miserable creatures. Being monsters comes with the territory, but even for them, being labeled a nuisance or a burden has its connotations that nobody wants to deal with. Misery loves company, but with depression, three’s a company when four’s a crowd.
4"Just Plain Nuts"
First Published: Jun 16, 2025
One of the fun parts about going to therapy for a patient can be trying to decipher how a therapist diagnoses them. Therapists often use specialized terminology and jargon that can leave even the most proficient scholars scratching their heads in confusion. The average bystander is just plain lost.
Some patients just wish therapists would simply notify them if they are"just plain nuts.“Sure, it may not be the most politically correct approach, but at least then, they would get a clear answer. This comic helpsFar Sidereaders feel seen.
3"Nervous Little Dogs”
First Published: June 25, 2025
The only type of creature that is more jittery than a socially anxious person is a small dog. This is most common with the likes of chihuahuas and Yorkshire terriers, but smaller breeds of dogs tend to shiver every second of the day noticeably. And it may be a case of some dogs actually being as anxious as humans get.
Gary Larson,The Far Side’sresident dog expert, had a different theory. In his assertion through illustration, he hypothesizes that these dogs only display nervous ticks because they are fresh from drinking their morning coffee, for anyone who starts their morning with a cold brew, espresso, or Red Bull, that checks out.
2"Pushing Each Other’s Buttons"
First Published: June 26, 2025
Mental health isn’t just a one-person struggle, but one that can be shared between two parties for the same reason. This is most commonly the case for marriages, in which couples counseling is an option. Anyone who has been married knows how easy it is for lovers to push each other’s buttons.
Such an experience isn’t exclusive to humans. Asthe future ofTheFar Side’sAIhas shown, even robots can push each other’s buttons even more than humans do, especially on a literal level. Whether they are sentient creatures or made of flesh and bone, romantic partners just naturally get on each other’s nerves.
1"Clown Therapy Sessions"
June 26, 2025
Some people dealing with mental health struggles have a knack for deflecting by using jokes to hide their trauma. They would rather people see them laughing on the outside than hurting as much as they are inside. Not everyone can keep such a game face, though, like a jovial clown during a family therapy session.
Clowns are staples ofFar Sidelore, but this time, Larson uses them to teach a lesson. There’s power in finding a reason to smile in a room full of frowns. Some will say it’s not the right time or the place, but when uplifting mental health proves a challenge, this clown fromThe Far Sidehas the right idea.
