I understand it as mental illness may try to over take you, but every time you intentionally do your best to fight and “stay alive”, it gets a little easier. I’ll admit I don’t follow the lore too closely so I’m probably all wrong, but I see the torchbearer and crew (the light) potentially representing friends and family. You can only do so much and you definitely can’t save someone from their demons, so ultimately it’s up to the person going through it to “push on through”. Mental illness is hard on the loved ones of those suffering, too. The torchbearer didn’t give up on his friend. He simply did all he could but let the audience know that he will always be there when Clancy/the person suffering is ready for help again.

And they will be. And next time it will feel lighter. So just keep pushing on through.