From Stage to Healthcare: Gwen Sunckle’s Laughter-Filled Journey to Boosting Mental Health

Gwen Sunckle is a comedian and nurse based in Indianapolis who strongly believes that laughter can be used as a powerful tool to help individuals cope with difficult situations. As the Executive Producer of the Middle Ground Comedy Festival, she aims to use humor as medicine to aid those struggling with mental health.

Sunckle, along with other comedians in Indianapolis, established the festival with the goal of using laughter as a form of therapy to help people deal with their struggles. In a world where stress and anxiety are all too common, Sunckle believes 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.

Local comedian Lucas Waterfill, who has gained popularity on Instagram, lives with cerebral palsy and alcoholism. He credits comedy with helping him better cope with his addiction and find hope in life. 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 is taking place from April 25 to April 28 and features 40 comedians from Indiana and other parts of the country. The festival aims to become a non-profit organization in the future to provide further assistance to individuals dealing with mental health issues. Tickets are priced from $10 to $25 to ensure affordability is not a barrier for accessing this important event. To purchase tickets and learn more about the festival, visit their website.