Laughter as Medicine: How Comedy Can Help Mental Health Struggles at the Middle Ground Festival

Comedian and nurse Gwen Sunckle believes that laughter can be a powerful tool to help both herself and her patients deal with difficult situations. In Indianapolis, she serves as the Executive Producer of the Middle Ground Comedy Festival, which aims to use humor as medicine to aid those struggling with mental health.

Sunckle and other comics in Indianapolis established the festival with the goal of bringing laughter to a world filled with sorrow. They hope that by sharing relatable stories from comedians like Lucas Waterfill, who has cerebral palsy and alcoholism, those attending the festival will realize that they are not alone in their struggles.

Waterfill credits comedy with helping him better cope with his addiction. He says that laughter can reduce stress levels and boost mood-regulating hormones like dopamine and serotonin. Studies from the National Library of Medicine support this idea, suggesting that laughter can be an effective tool for mental health treatment.

The Middle Ground Comedy Festival takes place from April 25 to April 28 and features 40 comedians from Indiana and other parts of the country. Tickets are priced from $10 to $25 to ensure affordability is not a barrier for access to the event. To purchase tickets and learn more about the festival, visit their website. Sunckle hopes that by attending this event, individuals dealing with mental health issues will find comfort in knowing that they are not alone in their struggles.