NAMI StigmaBusters - Laughter: The Best Medicine?

The latest addition of NAMI’s StigmaBuster newsletter reports on a survey they conducted. “Last month's alert solicited StigmaBuster views on whether mental illness could ever be funny. We received about 250 responses, falling roughly in the following categories:

• 50% - Yes, but only when it's not stigmatizing in nature; i.e., making fun of the illness, not the person, and especially if it educates others or helps a person cope.
• 25% - Yes, but only when we are laughing among ourselves, consumers, families and therapists.
• 14% - Never
• 11% - Yes. Lighten up. Laughter is the best medicine.

“Those in the first category left a lot of room for discussion about the nature of stigma and what different kinds of humor may work best to educate, and in what contexts. We expect we will hear more on the topic.” You can find more information about this NAMI group at their StigmaBusters website.