Insight 1
Australia's National Mental Health Commission's 2024 Report Card reveals increasing financial strain affecting mental healthcare access, with one in four Australians avoiding mental health services due to cost. The proportion of Australians struggling financially has doubled in recent years.
https://insightplus.mja.com.au/2025/34/insights-from-the-national-mental-health-commissions-2024-report-card/

https://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au/publications/national-report-card-2024

Insight 2
Three often overlooked suicide warning signs include: sudden mood improvement after depression, unusual generosity with possessions, and unexpected interest in estate planning.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/up-and-running/202501/3-overlooked-warning-signs-of-suicide

Insight 3
Research published in PLOS confirms that parental humour strengthens family bonds, with adults who had humorous parents describing them as more effective, approachable and loving.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/parenting/moments/being-funny-parent-is-best-hack-3-tips-to-add-humour-to-your-parenting/articleshow/124025354.cms

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0306311

Insight 4
"1 Degree of Separation" program in the US uses comedy and comedians to facilitate mental health conversations through five powerful questions about depression.
https://youtu.be/TOfYXtBTfPU?si=a9n6Dz1zWIIqYbXW

https://www.1degreeofseparation.life/

Insight 5
Bradley Cooper's upcoming film "Is This Thing On?" explores stand-up comedy as a coping mechanism during personal crisis.

https://deadline.com/2025/08/is-this-thing-on-trailer-bradley-cooper-will-arnett-1236497452/

https://youtu.be/TE5v3U79i6s?si=hXsJmXVXpA8vINoK

Please subscribe, share this episode with someone who might benefit, and remember to be kind to yourself and be kind to those around you.
For more info head to: www.thelaughterclinic.com.au

"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."

Lifeline Australia
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
Web: lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service
Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
Web: beyondblue.org.au

Kids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)
Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
Web: kidshelpline.com.au

MensLine Australia
Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)
Web: mensline.org.au

SANE Australia (complex mental health issues)
Phone: 1800 18 7263 (10am-10pm AEST, Mon-Fri)
Web: sane.org

QLife (LGBTIQ+ support)
Phone: 1800 184 527 (3pm-midnight AEST)
Web: qlife.org.au

Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)
Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)
Web: openarms.gov.au

1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)
Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
Web: 1800respect.org.au

Headspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)
Phone: 1800 650 890 (9am-1am AEST)
Web: headspace.org.au

13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)
Web: 13yarn.org.au

Music produced by Hayden Smith
https://www.haydensmith.com/