A Suicide Prevention Training Program combining comedy with life-saving education
Our Suicide Prevention Training Program combines comedy with life-saving education. Through humor and personal stories, our program provides essential mental health first aid by demonstrating what an open, supportive conversation looks like. This interactive approach helps individuals feel more confident and prepared to offer immediate support.
The first segment of the show is an introduction and brief family-friendly comedy set from each of the four comedians. This introduces the audience to each comic, letting them shine in their element and change the brain chemistry with laughter and humor.
Next, the panel of four comedians join together on stage to answer and discuss the "5 Questions" regarding their own battles with depression. This demonstrates to the audience "how to have a conversation." After the show, the audience receives a copy of these 5 Questions to use as a tool for having their own conversations.
Depression has one degree of separation: if you don't suffer, then someone you know does.
We aim to bring dialogue, awareness, and acceptance for those suffering from depression through laughter and vulnerability. We laugh at the dark stuff, because laughter releases the pain. We talk about depression because no one should feel shame.
With an army of comedians, we hope to kill the stigma of depression and share stories of hope, happiness and triumph.
Initiating Dialogue with these 5 non-judgmental questions
While individuals often have good intentions when offering advice to someone experiencing depression, many suggestions may not be beneficial and could potentially be more harmful.
Initiate a dialogue with these five non-judgmental questions. To truly understand how to support others, it is essential to ask and listen attentively; your actions will then convey love and understanding. If you are experiencing depression, consider asking yourself these questions as well. Having answers to these questions can help convey how your depression affects you to loved ones who may not fully understand your situation.
Much like in an accident that would cause physical harm, we use the same approach with our mental health first aid training: access, stabilize, then get professional help.
Brad Bonar Jr., Comedian and Creator of 1 Degree of Separation
“A few years ago I found a suicide note that I wrote in the 6th grade. At first I kinda laughed about it, but then it became very sobering to think that I’m now in my 60’s, I’ve struggled at least since the 6th grade, and it’s only been the past few years that I’ve seriously addressed my depression.
That note got me started on a quest to put together a comedy show about depression and suicide. I’ve spent the past 25 years traveling the world making people laugh. Now I’m using my talents for something more personal. It’s time to cast a spotlight that removes the stigma of mental illness.
I’ve interviewed doctors and mental health professionals to help format the show so that we as comics can talk about the topics that are so taboo in our society. As comedians we’ll talk about anything on stage, so why not this?”
Click on the video to learn more about our suicide prevention training program at schools.
Since the creation of 1 Degree, we’ve performed over 80 suicide prevention trainings for people from all walks of life. Our audiences have included first responders, dentists, medical groups, corporate clients, and students from sixth grade through college. We’ve traveled to Kentucky, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Oklahoma and all over California, but this was the first training for the men and women of our military! It was an honor and privilege to come to New Orleans and teach them how to talk about depression.
“I’ve never heard such an honest and informative talk on mental health and depression than what you all put on.”
— Doug