Desperate to cut NHS costs, a new scheme is trialling comedy as a mental health treatment.

Could comedy replace antidepressants? A controversial NHS-backed trial is testing whether laughter can serve as a treatment for depression, potentially cutting costs and reducing dependency on medication.

A tech firm, Craic Health, has launched an initiative called “comedy-on-prescription,” aiming to use stand-up performances and workshops to help isolated and vulnerable individuals reconnect with their communities. The project has gained political support, notably from Labour MP Dr Simon Opher, who has criticised the overuse of medication.

Dr Opher, a former GP, has long advocated for alternative treatments. He believes social prescribing—activities like poetry, gardening, and now comedy—could be a game-changer for those struggling with depression. “One in five adults are on antidepressants,” he warned. “That’s often because there aren’t enough alternative treatments available.”

The initiative is being trialled in Westminster, with plans to expand if successful. The programme has received funding from the One Westminster charity, while local libraries have provided venues for performances. Participants include people from disadvantaged backgrounds, the homeless, and elderly residents battling loneliness.

A Radical Approach to Mental Health Treatment

The NHS has seen a rise in antidepressant prescriptions, with 8.7 million people in England taking them in 2023/24—a 2.1% increase from the previous year. Current guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommend that antidepressants should not be the first-line treatment for mild depression, unless patients specifically request them.

But with long NHS wait times for therapy—often four to six months—GPs are left with few options. “If a patient presents with mild to moderate depression, referring them to therapy isn’t always practical,” Dr Opher explained. “Doctors often reach for the prescription pad instead.”

Lu Jackson, the founder of Craic Health, argues that comedy provides immediate and long-term benefits for mental well-being. “Laughter decreases cortisol, releases dopamine, and boosts serotonin and endorphins,” she said. “Attending a single comedy workshop or stand-up event can have a 24-hour impact—surely that’s better than reaching for pills?”

From Jokes to Genuine Impact

Craic Health’s early trials have shown promising results. Participants reported feeling significantly happier after attending sessions. “People walk in feeling three out of five,” Jackson said, “but leave feeling a solid five.”

Events have been tailored to specific groups, including a show for the homeless and a workshop for elderly residents, supported by a befriending service. Conservative councillor Robert Rigby, the Lord Mayor of Westminster, attended one of the comedy events and was impressed by its effect. “It was clear older residents valued not just the show, but the social aspect,” he said.

The scheme’s success could lead to wider adoption, but questions remain. Can laughter truly replace medication? And is this just a cost-cutting measure disguised as innovation? Critics fear that without proper medical oversight, this “treatment” could risk trivialising serious mental health conditions.

A parliamentary event on March 13 will assess the trial’s impact, with Dr Opher and Jackson presenting their findings. If the data supports comedy as an effective intervention, the UK could see laughter become a formal part of mental health care.

For now, patients struggling with depression are left with an unsettling choice: take a pill or sit through a stand-up routine.