#Comedy

A growing movement is turning humor into therapy. Stand Up For Mental Health (SMH) trains people with mental health challenges in joke-writing and stand-up skills through a peer-led program. It aims to build confidence and resilience by using laughter as a pathway to well-being. Research from reputable psychology outlets supports humor-based interventions as a complementary approach in mental health care.

In Thailand, mental health is increasingly discussed but stigma and access barriers persist. Rising stress, depression, and anxiety affect many, especially young urban residents. SMH’s approach offers a practical model for Thailand: peer-led, community-based empowerment that can supplement traditional care and reach people who might not access formal services.

In a remarkable blend of performance art and therapy, a pioneering program led by a Canadian counselor and stand-up comic is showing the world how humor can change lives for people with mental health challenges. The Stand Up For Mental Health™ (SMH) initiative, founded by a counselor and comedian with lived experience of bipolar disorder, teaches stand-up comedy skills to individuals living with mental health issues, equipping them with newfound confidence and resilience through the healing power of laughter (Psychology Today).

New research is shedding light on a paradox long observed in entertainment and everyday life: some of the world’s funniest individuals also struggle with some of the deepest emotional pain. Recent findings compiled by a neuroscience expert in Psychology Today draw directly on brain science and psychological studies to explain this hidden connection, offering insights not only for global audiences but also for Thai readers who deeply value humor as a tool for social connection.

New science is clarifying a paradox many have observed: some of the world’s funniest individuals also wrestle with deep emotional pain. A neuroscience-focused review in Psychology Today links brain science to the humor-emotion connection, offering insights relevant to Thai readers who value laughter as a social glue.

Thailand loves comedy, from Likay theatre and stand-up to TV satire. Jokes brighten markets, offices, and classrooms, yet research suggests making others smile can be both a blessing and a burden. A neuroscience piece notes that comedians and people with a talent for humor show complex brain activity. Laughter releases mood-boosting chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, providing momentary relief. For those with depression, the usual sources of pleasure can be disrupted, making humor a coping mechanism rather than mere entertainment.