Laughter lifts support for WA mental health

Monday, 28 November 2016
 
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• Comedy night at State Theatre Centre of WA raises more than $9,000 to increase community awareness of mental health issues
• Second year of a successful partnership between Perth Theatre Trust and WA Association of Mental Health 

A sell-out performance at the State Theatre Centre of WA has seen more than $9,000 raised for community awareness of mental health issues.

Featuring local and national comedians, Stand Up! For Comedy attracted an audience of more than 500 people and was the closing event for Mental Health Week 2016.

Mental Health Minister Andrea Mitchell said the aim of Mental Health Week was to reduce stigma and promote mentally healthy communities.

"The success of this performance ensures a real boost to mental health promotion, not only through the money raised, but also by the number of people who attended," Ms Mitchell said.


Hosted by Paul 'Werzel' Montague, Stand Up! For Comedy featured Ben Darsow, Matt Dyktynski, Damien Callinan, Suns of Fred, Cameron McLaren, Sian Choyce and Hayden Stevens.

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said the event marked the second time, the Perth Theatre Trust had partnered with the Western Australian Association for Mental Health.

"I am pleased that two such different organisations have come together to promote an issue that affects us all," Mr Day said.

"The fact that it has sold out for the second year in a row demonstrates that this is a powerful partnership."

Mental Health Week 2016 had a special focus on suicide prevention, promoting the Act Belong Commit message and suicide prevention theme, 'Together we can save lives'.

Mental health consumers and carers were allocated tickets to the comedy night.

Fact File

• Stand Up! For Comedy was held on October 15, 2016, during Mental Health Week
• Proceeds will go to local charity, the WA Association for Mental Health
• The event is supported by Perth Theatre Trust and WA Association for Mental Health