system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Is there actually any link between being funny and being at increased likelihood to be depressed.

People always tell me the funny ones are the ones who are usually depressed. Is there any link between the two? People have already mentioned it to me in the short time Robin Williams has been dead, whose passing is a complete tragedy.
gpt
A typical reaction for a child growing up in a dysfunctional home is to try to make everyone happy. They learn very young that if they can make people laugh it relieves the tension of home life. Providing humor becomes their family role and being funny becomes a critical life skill.  It's not surprising that someone growing up in these conditions would suffer from depression. 

Jim Carrey was once asked in an interview - what is the secret to being a great comedian? He replied "alcoholic grandparents".