World Mental Health Day: Why Being Heard Matters, and How Laughter Helps People Open Up

Executive summary

• World Mental Health Day is on 10 October 2026, and this year’s theme is “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”.
• When you feel low, laughing can seem out of reach. People who’ve joined my sessions describe arriving tired, flat, shy or sceptical.
• In their own words, they leave feeling calmer, more energised and more connected, and they find it easier to talk to each other.
• You don’t need to feel happy to laugh. Laughter Yoga uses simulated laughter exercises, with no jokes or comedy needed.
• Laughter sits alongside professional support and doesn’t replace it. You’ll find UK support lines near the end of this blog.

When your mood is low, being told to cheer up doesn’t help. Laughing can feel like something other people do.

World Mental Health Day falls on 10 October, and this year it asks us to listen to people who’ve lived through hard times. So I’m handing most of this blog over to the people who’ve laughed with me. Some arrived feeling flat or doubtful, and one nearly didn’t come at all.

Here’s what they said, in their own words.

What is the theme of World Mental Health Day this year?

The theme for World Mental Health Day 2026 is “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”, announced by the World Federation for Mental Health. The day is marked on 10 October every year and is supported by the World Health Organization.

Lived experience means first-hand knowledge. It’s what a person knows about anxiety, depression, grief or loneliness because they’ve been through it themselves. The theme asks all of us to listen to those voices and let them shape what happens next.

Why does being heard matter for your mental health?

I came to Laughter Yoga in 2016 while I was living with depression. I felt lonely and disconnected, and I’d tried all sorts of things to lift my mood. At my first laughter workshop, I laughed with a room full of people, and it felt good to reconnect. I’ve shared more of that story in From Depression to Laughter Yoga and Social Prescribing.

What I’ve observed since is that people rarely want fixing. They want someone to notice how they are and take it seriously. When that happens in a group, you find out you’re not the only one who’s tired, worried or putting on a brave face.

That’s why the words people share after a session matter so much to me. The comments below come from community sessions, charities, WI groups, sheltered housing and workplaces, in person and online.

What do people say before their first laughter session?

Most people arrive with some doubt, and many arrive tired.

“I was feeling very tired and flat, and actually ready to go to sleep rather than anything else. I thought I’m not up to Laughter Yoga today and I’m glad I came along so thank you.” – Andrea

“I was one of the shy cynics who thought this would be excruciating but Sunny was great. Definitely felt better after that taster session.” – Claire

“I would never have guessed it would be what it was and if someone had described it to me I would NEVER have joined… but it was AWESOME, such a fun way to start the day” – Alessandro

In my experience, people who walk in guarded and unconvinced often leave looking lighter. Tiredness, shyness and doubt are all welcome in the room, and you can join in at your own pace.

What changes after people laugh together?

People describe feeling lighter, calmer and more energised, sometimes within minutes.

“I was feeling pretty low in energy when I came in and after 20min I’m feeling like a bubbly spark of joy.” – Lina

“I feel much better now I have been able to laugh.” – Anonymous reviewer

“Don’t wait until you feel ‘up to it’, don’t wait to feel better, do it and you’ll feel better.” – Rebecca

For some, the change reaches home. Jos, a dentist who joined my online sessions during the pandemic, wrote:

“I took life so seriously that I couldn’t interact with my kids.”

Laughter Yoga brought out a playful side, and now there’s a new routine in the house:

“So every night before bedtime we have our own 10 to 15 minute play.” – Jos

Groups notice it too. Jane Dennison of MileShy invited me to their mental health groups and wrote that “the feedback from members has been phenomenal”.

Better sleep comes up often as well. Jackie wrote: “Came away feeling energised and connected and slept so well.” I’ve written more about that in 8 Ways Laughter and the Vagus Nerve Improve Sleep.

How does laughing together help people open up?

Shared laughter makes conversation easier, and that’s where being heard begins.

“It makes it much easier to talk to people when you’ve been laughing together” – Laura

The conversations carry on after the session too. Deby Jackson of WI Oakwood in Leeds described “follow-up conversations (which we are still having amongst ourselves)”. The team at Daisy Bank Sheltered Housing noticed the same:

“The session was on Friday it is now Monday and those who participated are still upbeat and discussing amongst themselves what they did and how funny it was.” – Daisy Bank Sheltered Housing

Research points to the same conclusion. A brain-imaging study in the Journal of Neuroscience found that laughing with others triggered the release of the brain’s natural opioids, which the researchers linked to social bonding. It was a small study of 12 men, so I treat it as a promising clue, not proof.

I believe this is why a laughter session works so well as a first step. It’s easier to say “I’ve been struggling” to someone you’ve just laughed with.

Can laughter help on the hardest days?

Laughter doesn’t take grief or pain away, but people tell me it helps them carry it.

“On the morning of my Dad’s funeral, Sunny organised (at my request) for a number of fellow Laughter Yoga leaders to get together on Zoom to have a special Laughter Yoga session to help me through what was going to be a very difficult day. I can’t tell you how much this helped my mindset and to feel the support from Sunny and the others.” – Catherine

Catherine asked for that session herself, and that matters. Nobody should feel pushed to laugh when they’re grieving, and the choice always belongs to the person.

Pamela Walker of Target Ovarian Cancer shared something similar after a group session:

“It was a perfect tonic after a difficult session on loss, and it’s given us all some tools to help to cope with life’s challenges.” – Pamela Walker, Target Ovarian Cancer

If you’re grieving, you may find comfort in Finding Light in Grief: How Laughter Yoga Supports Us Through Loss.

Do you need to feel happy to laugh?

No. Laughter Yoga uses simulated laughter exercises combined with deep breathing, with no jokes, comedy or humour needed. In a group, with eye contact and a little playfulness, simulated laughter often turns into the real thing.

The evidence is encouraging. A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis in Social Science & Medicine found that simulated laughter was more effective than humour-prompted laughter, and that laughter-based therapies can improve depression. The authors also called for more rigorous research, so I see laughter as a helpful addition to professional care, never a substitute.

To understand how it works, I recommend reading The Science Behind Laughter Yoga: Why You Don’t Need to Feel Happy to Laugh.

What about sceptical teams at work?

Doubt is common in workplaces too, and the feedback follows the same pattern. Amanda Keogh of AstraZeneca wrote, “The whole team got involved and really enjoyed it, even the sceptics!” Katie Addlestone of Harwood Law noticed that “even those who were very sceptical of the experience reported feeling more relaxed and happier afterwards.”

If work is where your stress builds, my blog on how to switch off from work may help.

How can you mark World Mental Health Day?

Small acts of listening count for more than grand gestures. Here are a few ideas:

• Ask, then listen. Ask someone how they are, and give them time to answer without rushing to fix anything.
• Share a little of your own story. If you feel ready, tell someone you trust how things have been for you.
• Do one thing that connects you. A walk with a friend, a phone call or a shared cup of tea all help.
• Laugh with us. Join my online community Laughter session on 10 October 2026, 9-10am UK time, or 21 October 6pm, on Zoom. Stay for 30 minutes of laughter, or the full hour, which ends with deep relaxation.

You don’t need to feel happy to come along, and one ticket covers everyone watching on the same screen. Tickets are discounted, and if a complimentary ticket would help, email happy@seriouslaughter.co.uk.

Save your seat for the World Mental Health Day session

If you’re reading this after the day has passed, you’ll find upcoming sessions on the events page.

Where can you find support if you’re struggling?

Laughter is a wellbeing activity and doesn’t replace medical or psychological care. If you’re finding things hard, please reach out:

• Urgent help in England: call 111 and select the mental health option, or see the NHS guide to urgent mental health help.
• Someone to talk to, day or night: call Samaritans free on 116 123.
• Your GP: your GP can discuss treatment and help you access mental health services.
• Emergency: if someone’s life is at risk, or you can’t keep yourself or someone else safe, call 999 or go to A&E.

The charity Mind also has practical guidance on coping during a crisis.

Frequently asked questions

When is World Mental Health Day?

World Mental Health Day is on 10 October every year. The World Federation for Mental Health leads the day, and the World Health Organisation supports it. It raises awareness of mental health and encourages people everywhere to talk, listen and support one another.

What is the theme of World Mental Health Day 2026?

The 2026 theme is “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”, announced by the World Federation for Mental Health. It puts the focus on listening to people with first-hand experience of mental health difficulties, so their voices can lead to real change in support, services and everyday conversations.

Can laughter really help your mental health?

Research suggests it can help. A 2019 meta-analysis found that laughter-based therapies can improve depression, and that simulated laughter was more effective than humour-prompted laughter. The authors called for more rigorous studies, so laughter is best seen as a supportive addition to professional care, not a replacement.

Do I need to feel happy to join a laughter session?

No. Laughter Yoga uses simulated laughter exercises and deep breathing, so you don’t need jokes, comedy or a good mood. Many people arrive tired, flat or doubtful. You can join in at your own pace, and the laughter often becomes natural once the group gets going.

Is Laughter Yoga a replacement for therapy or medication?

No. Laughter Yoga is a wellbeing activity that can sit alongside therapy, medication and other support, and it isn’t a treatment for mental illness. If you’re struggling, please speak to your GP, call 111 and select the mental health option in England, or call Samaritans on 116 123.

What happens in an online laughter session?

You join on Zoom from home. After a quick video hello, I guide the group through simulated laughter exercises, deep breathing and joyful activities. You can stay for 30 minutes of laughter or the full hour, which ends with deep relaxation. All you need is a drink of water and a little willingness.

Is Laughter Yoga suitable for everyone?

Laughter Yoga is a physical activity, so it isn’t suitable for everyone. Please read the contraindications page before joining, and check with your doctor if you have a health condition or you’re unsure. You can take part seated and at your own pace.

Come and laugh with us

• Upcoming sessions: seriouslaughter.co.uk/events
• Get in touch: by email
• WhatsApp: +44 7974 778091

Sunny Turner, founder of Serious Laughter, is based in Manchester. She’s an FHT-Accredited Laughter Yoga Teacher, Museum of Happiness Facilitator and Comedy on Prescription Certified Facilitator. Sunny has delivered laughter sessions since 2017 for community groups, charities, NHS organisations, schools and workplaces across the UK, in person and online.