Share a laugh … Brisbane comedian Mark McConville has established the not-for-profit organisation “Living with Laughter” to raise awareness and funds for suicide research. Picture: Supplied Source: News Corp Australia
THE old saying that laughter is the best medicine is moving into the dark world of suicide prevention, thanks to Brisbane-based comedian Mark McConville.
With suicide rates among war veterans and serving military personnel growing, Mr McConville will host a comedy night in Brisbane tonight on World Suicide Prevention Day to raise funds for the veterans’ welfare group “Soldier On”.
It was about four years ago on a cruise ship that he met a husband and wife following one of his gigs. He was an Afghan veteran.
“She was in tears and she threw her arms around me and thanked me for making her husband laugh out loud for the first time in three years,” he said.
“I spent several hours talking to them and the wife wondered why humour wasn’t used by mental health professionals.”
Mr McConville said that got him thinking and he began to realise there was more to life than just telling jokes, so he began to research comedy and mental health.
That led him to study a Masters of Suicidology with the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention on using humour as a treatment for mental health conditions, such as Post Traumatic Stress and depression.
Laugher the key … Brisbane comedian Mark McConville is leading the battle against suicide in veterans. Picture: Supplied Source: News Corp Australia
After 17 years as a stand-up comic, he has established the not-for-profit organisation, “Living with Laughter”, to raise awareness and funds for suicide research.
This year’s free “Sharing with Laughter” comedy event at the Sit Down Comedy Club in Brisbane will raise funds for the veterans group “Soldier On” that is leading the battle against suicide in veterans.
“The idea is that if you know someone who is experiencing stress, anxiety or depression, you can bring them out for a free night of top class professional comedy,” Mr McConville said.
“By sharing laughter with someone who you feel needs a boost, you never know, you may just help save their life.”
Meanwhile, Queensland Nationals Senator James McGrath has launched a petition calling for the creation of an Australian Defence Covenant.
Senator McGrath said a Defence Covenant would act as a charter of rights for serving, discharged and retired members of the Australian Defence Force and their families.
National President of the Defence Force Welfare Association Colonel David Jamison welcomed the move.
“The time for adopting an Australian Military Covenant has now arrived,” Colonel Jamison said.
The petition is available at www.defencecovenant.com.
If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.