As a comedian and nurse in Indianapolis, Gwen Sunckle believes that laughter can be a powerful tool to help both her and her patients deal with difficult situations. She serves as the Executive Producer of the Middle Ground Comedy Festival, which aims to use laughter as medicine to aid those struggling with mental health.
Sunckle and other comics in Indianapolis established the festival with the belief that everyone could benefit from an extra reason to smile. Studies from the National Library of Medicine suggest that laughter can reduce stress levels and boost mood-regulating hormones like dopamine and serotonin.
One comic who lives with cerebral palsy and alcoholism, Lucas Waterfill, credits comedy with helping him better cope with his addiction. Sunckle hopes that by sharing relatable stories from comics like Waterfill, those attending the festival will realize that they are not alone in their struggles.
The Middle Ground Comedy Festival takes place from April 25 to April 28, featuring 40 comedians from Indiana and other parts of the country. Tickets are priced from $10 to $25 to ensure affordability is not a barrier for access to the event. To purchase tickets and learn more about the festival, visit their website. The festival aims to become a non-profit organization in the future to provide further assistance to individuals dealing with mental health issues.