Humour to make people aware of mental illness
Occtober, 5
In an effort to break the age old stigma about mental illness, comedians are all set to address this sensitive issue by using their humour skills. This new way to make people understand the need to break such taboos is a nice beginning to tackle this huge dilemma. Taking initiative comedians will take the centre stage in the Scotland’s first Mental Health Arts and Film Festival which showcases films, debates, exhibitions and other events.
In an effort to change the ideology of people towards mental illness, which even many comedians are victims of by humour as a tool to project this dilemma. It is known that many famous comedians like Stephen Fry and late Spike Milligan have suffered from dispersion in their career. Expressing his views Raymond Mearns one of the comedians said, comedy would make people to understand this serious issue which they may have ignored if told in some another way.
We are eyeing to project this huge problem in a lighter and humorous way cutting the boring aspect of it, said Mearn. Mr Mearns, star of BBC Scotland sitcom Legit, also appears in a new DVD which will be launched at this festival. With the help of humour he had tried to narrate the story of a man’s battle against stress.
In this fast life where one has no time for himself, all are at some point caught under stress and mental tensions. Mr Mearns further added that there are many people I know who have suffered by this stress factor in their lives. Gail Porter, an Edinburgh born TV presenter was the victim of anorexia and manic depression; she even tried for suicide at one time of her life. Humour is a best tool one can use to present a serious matter in a simpler way, says Suzie Vestri, acting director of the campaign group See Me.
Earlier humour and comedy were used only to undermine and humiliate people with mental health problems as figures of fun. But now it is helping people address these issues making it acceptable to talk about them, said Lee Kniston, the director of the festival.
With the start of this festival which lasts on 19th, lets hope people understands the message these comedian will feature in their humour style. And the thinking of the people also changes about the mental illness and they take it in a positive way.