Changing How People Look at Mental Illness One Laugh at a Time-Laughter Good Medicine

It really does beat a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. According to researcher Nicole Chovil PhD., making people laugh is indeed good medicine.

In her preliminary evaluation study with students of Stand Up For Mental Health, a program teaching people with mental illness to perform stand-up comedy all about their mental health journeys,  Dr. Chovil found some interesting improvements.

“We looked at things like comfort speaking publicly about their illness, confidence and self-esteem, optimism and hope for the future, ability to handle emotions and stress, activity level, and ability to take on employment or volunteer work,” states Chovil.

“The students self-ratings showed a significant difference between how the participants rated themselves before and after taking the course.”  “Though this is just a preliminary survey, it seems that doing stand-up comedy really helped the students cope with their mental illness. Taking the risk of making an audience laugh and succeeding at it seems to have really changed how the students feel about themselves.” 

Eufemia Fantetti agrees. She took the course in 2005 and states, “This course and the opportunity to perform stand up has been one of the most empowering events of my life. I’m a way more confident and happier person. It’s an incomparable thrill to make complete strangers laugh at things that used to upset me enormously.”

Come and share in this extraordinary journey when the Stand Up For Mental Health Class of 2008 performs at the Granville Island Arts Cllub Stage on Sunday April 13, at 7pm. This is our first fundraising event of the year. Money raised will help keep the program going. We hope to perform before over 30 different audiences before the year is out.

Shake off those winter cobwebs, come out and laugh-it doesn't just feel good, it's good for you. Please visit our website www.standupformentalhealth.com to order tickets and for more info.

Tired of having the Salmon Arm Polka Band and Briefcase Drill Team perform at your annual company event? Why not book Stand Up For Mental Health.

Please Remember to Vote For Us on the  "what do you think ?" link for the New Year's Resolution2008 Award. We value your time and support.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? IS LAUGHTER REALLY THE BEST MEDICINE?

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