Mental illness is a frightening subject to us all. We fear the unpredictability of those with it and we fear losing our own mental abilities to it.

I think humor might be an excellent way to diffuse some of the tension around mental illness. Comedy has lessened tensions about race, age, wealth and many other sensitive social issues and it could easily increase public awareness of mental health issues while helping people see that the mentally ill are not as frightening as they may appear. It might also be good for those with mental illness to be able to laugh at themselves. I remember plenty of incidents of that when I worked in a psyche unit.

Ridicule can be hurtful, but there is nothing quite as healing as laughter, both at others and at oneself.

smile