Miles and miles of smiles

STATISTICS show that one in three Australians will experience a mental health issue during their lifetime, but two-thirds of those people don’t get the support they need.

So as part of Mental Health Week 2018 (October 7-13), a bunch of Tasmanian comedians are hoping to help change that situation by setting off on the inaugural Tassie Mental Health Week Comedy Roadshow: three shows over three nights in the state’s best comedy rooms, where comedians will speak their minds about mental health issues.

The Roadshow is the brainchild of psychologist, comedian and The Clubhouse co-producer Dr David Bakker, who has assembled some of Tassie’s top comedic talent, including Tim Logan, Stewart Bell, Kate Boden, Hamish Levis, Brodi Lucas, Catherine McClintock, Sally Rose McShane, Jane New, Emesha Rudolf, Brittany Szlezak and Ned Townsend.

Dr Bakker said the comedians would discuss mental health in a destigmatising manner, proving that laughter can indeed be the best medicine.

“The Tasmanian comedy scene is an open, inclusive and empathetic community that empowers itself by talking about hard-to-discuss issues like mental health,” he said.

Each Roadshow event will feature live mental health-themed comedy sets, mental health professionals talking about the support services available, the chance for audiences to anonymously submit questions for a Q&A session, and opportunities to chat about mental health after the show.

The 2018 Tassie Mental Health Week Comedy Roadshow will make stops at the Hobart Brewing Company on October 11, Launceston’s Royal Oak on October 12, and Devonport’s Central Bar on October 13. All shows start at 8pm. Entry is free, with audiences encouraged to make a donation at the end of the night.