Laughter and mental health: a case study of Merv Neal

Laughter and mental health: a case study of Merv Neal

Merv Neal, Freda Gonot-Schoupinsky
Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-

The purpose of this paper is to engage with, and elicit insights from, Merv Neal, a laughter professional, on the use of laughter to benefit mental health.
This case study is presented in two sections: a biography of Merv Neal, followed by a ten-question interview with him.
Many insights on laughter are shared. Merv lists five benefits for mental health: laughter brings you into the present moment; laughter is a distraction; laughter breaks negative thought patterns; laughter silences the inner critical voice; and laughter brings joy.
This is a personal narrative, albeit from someone who has professionally used laughter to support mental health issues for over 15 years.
Laughter can be beneficial to support mental health. More evidence for its impact on mental health is needed. Prescribing laughter has been largely overlooked as a way to harness laughter for mental health to date. Investigating how and when to prescribe laughter for mental health is recommended.
Mental health issues can vary enormously, but loneliness is often involved. Encouraging social laughter is therefore important, including, surprisingly perhaps, by also practicing laughing alone. Laughter, accessible to all, presents itself as a free and easy way to support community mental healt...

Source: Mental Health and Social Inclusion - July 19, 2022 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Merv Neal Freda Gonot-Schoupinsky Source Type: research