1 Degree of Separation is a groundbreaking suicide prevention training program that 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.
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.
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?”
The Show
The show always consists of four comedians. The first part of the show, each comedian comes out and does five minutes of clean comedy, not mental health comedy. We just want you to laugh. Laughter changes your brain.
The next part of the show is a panel with four barstools, the four comedians, and four microphones. We answer five specific questions about our own mental health. These five questions were conceived through multiple interviews with doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. They were asked, “what would you want to see talked about at an event where you had four people who will talk about anything?” By demonstrating how to have a raw and honest conversation through answering those five questions, we give the audience the tools to help them have their own conversations.
Those who struggle with depression will leave with a sense that they are not alone in their struggle and will feel more comfortable discussing their depression with others. Those who don’t struggle with depression will leave with skills and the ability to have conversations with their loved ones about what depression truly looks and feels like.
The Five Questions
Since the creation of 1 Degree of Separation, we’ve performed hundreds of suicide prevention trainings for people from all walks of life. Our audiences have included middle schoolers, high school and college students, teachers and parents, corporate employees, healthcare and dental professionals, first responders, faith communities, as well as FBI agents and high-ranking military officers. This versatility is a strength – the team has proven just as effective talking to a room of 12-year-old students as to a ballroom of combat veterans. The common thread is that the show “humanizes” mental health struggles in a way that resonates with all ages and backgrounds.
“I’ve never heard such an honest and informative talk on mental health and depression than what you all put on.”
— Doug