Laughing in the face of adversity: stand-up comedy as a tool for improving mental health and well-being

Purpose This paper aims to explore how stand-up comedy can be used as an applied community-based intervention to promote mental health and social well-being. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on the author’s dual role as a stand-up comic and academic, the paper reflects on practice-led workshops and lived experience to examine the therapeutic potential of performing comedy. Findings Stand-up comedy offers a powerful medium for reframing traumatic experiences, fostering social connectedness and enhancing emotional resilience and enables performers, including those with neurodiverse traits, to reclaim personal narratives and engage in peer-supported communities of practice. Practical implications Practitioners and policymakers should recognise the value of participatory arts, particularly comedy-based, in the recovery and resilience-oriented mental health frameworks. Originality/value This paper contributes a unique perspective by framing stand-up comedy as both a creative and therapeutic tool for mental health intervention and advocacy.