In studio we have David Granier creator of ‘Stand up for Mental Health‘ and Alumni Robbie Engelquist. We talk about the concept of the program and how it has helped those with mental illness cope with their day to day lives and also how it is opening minds of the professionals. Also, Nelson Bardon and Melanie Rose share a bit of material.
In addition, CJ the Sound Therapy Sock Monkey makes her first public statement since the incident last Thursday on April 1.
Musical guest ‘The Balconies’ on their first visit to the wet coast explain what type of Balcony each of them are and how that influences their music. They also share their fascinating love for squid. Join us in the studio for a ton of mental funny. Here’s the archive, may take a minute to load.
Part 1 (30 mins)
Part 2 (30 mins)
Stand up for Mental Health Alumni - Nelson Bardon
Stand up for Mental Health Alumni - Melanie Rose
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April 5, 2010 at 9:27 pm
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May 2, 2010 at 10:57 am
Carli
Stand up for mental health is a very amazing program that opens a space for people with mental health issues to laugh at their illness and poke fun at things that may have transpired due to their illness.
David Granier is an interesting character and I admire him for what he does, leading a campaign of awareness; however, after watching one of the shows he made many jokes about God, the Jews, etc. and I felt that he was often grossly inappropriate. There is no place for such jokes in stand up for mental health, time to stick to the theme ‘Laughing at Mental Health’ and leave God out of it.
Awesome segment for Sound Therapy! I know a few people that are part of the show and I see how inspired, thrilled and excited they are to share their talent. Congrats! Josh Zed and Melanie Rose are my favourite comics. HUGS!
May 2, 2010 at 11:38 am
J Peachy
Thanks for your comment. I think as a comedian you take the risk of exposing yourself to criticism, it is one of the most difficult forms of writing as people are expecting to laugh after every word. While I wasn’t there, David did say comedians have to accept that the message they are trying to get out may be distorted by factors out of their control. I agree that people have a strong connections to their beliefs and that is difficult territory to navigate. I personally feel that developing independent spirituality whether it is in the form of organized religion or in some other means is a way to a healthy mind.
However, I don’t believe in an unmoderated view of religion. Comedy is an Art form that provokes dialogue and discussion about social injustices. Organized religion is a system, that some people choose as a cloak to harmful, abusive practices to attain power and control. Take for example the Jonestown Massacre, Mt Cashel Orphanage and the Residential Schools and forced assimilation of the First Nations people run by Churches in Canada. The latter has spurned a whole society in our own backyard which is now rampant with Alcoholism, Mental Health and Drug Abuse. Remember that Canada’s government apologized for this racist policy just under two years ago. In addition, some religious leaders are ignorant about mental health and feel that their parishoners merely have a simple spiritual crisis. That is extremely dangerous territory and is harming people necessarily. Marja Bergen has done well on her own on to open minds in religious circles on this topic. It is good to not see things in merely black and white.
Thus, I don’t agree with your censorship statement “time to stick to the theme ‘Laughing at Mental Health’ and leave God out of it”. A lot of people have experienced pain, suffering and died under the guise of organized religion and the hope of an afterlife. Those who have a comprised cognitive capabilities have been manipulated into doing things that a sane person couldn’t even imagine (ie. 9/11).
Thus a true religious leader or institution who wishes to be progressive should be open to the same amount of criticism that even a harmless comedian gets. Either way it is your free mind which is at stake.
jp