Stand Up for Mental Health™

Apply now to join this 6-week Comedy Troupe Training program for people living with mental health challenges in the Bay of Quinte region.

 

Are you who we are looking for?

Do you live with mental health challenges? Are you ready to experience healing in a new and unique way? Do you feel comfortable sharing your story with others? And do you live or work in the Bay of Quinte region?

If you’ve answered YES, then this program might be for YOU!

Consider joining us on this hilarious journey to self-discovery. Learn to become an amateur Stand-Up Comedian and share your story! Join 5 other people in this six-week training program, and further your healing through the lens of humour.

Audience of people clapping

Stand Up for Mental Health (SMH)

2025 Comedy Troupe Training Program

Each week, for 6 weeks, participants work with Counsellor, Stand Up Comic, and Founder of Stand Up for Mental Health™, David Granirer for two hours via video. David has run SMH in over 50 cities in Canada, the US, and Australia, trained over 700 comics, and done over 500 shows. His guarantee is that:If you put in the work, I will do WHATEVER it takes for you to succeed!” 

David will help you create a comedy sketch to share your story on local stages in the Quinte and surrounding area, at the culmination of the 6-week training program.

THANK YOU

Supporters

Bell Let's Talk logo
Logo for The Enrichment Centre for Mental Health
Stand Up for Mental Health Logo
We Thrive Wellness Centre logo

Training Location

The weekly SMH Comedy Troupe training sessions will take place at The Enrichment Centre for Mental Health, located at 250 Sidney Street (Building 59) in Belleville, Ontario.

The 2.5-hour in-person sessions will be co-hosted by Registered Psychotherapist Sarah Angela Clarke, and Sarah Hutchison, Co-Founder of We Thrive Wellness Centre. David Granirer will join via video to facilitate the training.

Each session will close with a psychoeducational discussion, facilitated by Sarah Angela.

Training Schedule:
Thursdays | 5:30 – 8:00pm
April 24th – June 5th, 2025

Audience of people clapping

Application Process

STEP 1: Review the Commitment

Review these elements of the Stand Up for Mental Health program in the Bay of Quinte region to make sure this is a good fit for you.

To be suitable for this program you must:

►Have personal lived experience with your own mental health challenges. Whether that is an experience of living with a mental disorder or other self-diagnosed mental conditions.

►Be fully committed to the training process and the BIG Shows. Please check the dates with your availability.

►2025 Training Dates: Thursdays, April 24 – June 5 | 5:30 – 8:00pm
►Belleville BIG SHOW: Friday, June 6th | Rehearsal: 3pm | Show: 7pm
►Kingston BIG SHOW: Saturday, June 7th | Rehearsal: 3pm | Show: 7pm

►Have a sense of adventure and a positive mindset to take on a challenge like this. You will be pushed outside your comfort zone, but it will be so worth it in the end!

►Make a self-investment of $150 to the program before the start of the training process. This investment will be returned to you at your successful completion of the program. You can request a sponsorship if needed.

 

STEP 2: Submit Your Application

The application is completed online and is available at the link below. You will be asked to self-reflect on how comedy and your commitment to this program will support your mental health journey. Thank you for applying!

►Application Deadline: Sunday, March 2nd – 2025 at 11:59pm
►Apply Online! CLICK HERE

STEP 3: Participate in an Online Video Interview

Meet with local organizers and facilitators Sarah Angela Clarke and Sarah Hutchison in an informal and fun interview. This meet-up will take place online at a mutually convenient time. Booking for these interviews will open in mid-January 2025.
►Book Your Interview Time

STEP 4: Troupe is Selected

We commit to contacting applicants (via email and/or phone) by Monday, March 24th, 2025, informing each applicant if they have been selected for this current training.  If selected, we ask that you confirm with us your commitment to the program in writing by Monday, March 31st, 2025. 

Please know that we anticipate many applications for this program. If you are not selected for the 2025 Bay of Quinte Stand Up for Mental Health program, it is not because you are not worthy of the opportunity. We simply have to make tough decisions because spots are limited. Please apply again for the next training opportunity. 

STEP 5: Submit Self-Investment & Start Training

If you are selected for the 2025 troupe, we ask that you submit a Self-Investment of $150.00 via cheque or e-transfer by the first training class (April 24th). When you successfully complete the 6-week training program and the BIG SHOW performances, your self-investment will be returned to you!

Important Dates:

Stand Up for Mental Health™ Amateur Comedian Training Dates:

Thursdays, April 24th – June 5th, 2025
5:30 – 8:00pm

THE BIG SHOWS
Belleville – Sat, June 7th
Kingston – Sun, June 8th

Comics share their rehearsed set at THE BIG SHOW for an enthusiastic and supportive audience! Tell friends and family to hold the date!

Program Facilitators

David Granirer, RPC, MPCC, M.S.M.

David Granirer, RPC, MPCC, M.S.M.

Founder - Stand Up for Mental Health™

David Granirer is a counselor, stand-up comic, author, and founder of Stand Up For Mental Health™ (SMH), a program teaching stand-up comedy to people with mental health issues. David who himself suffers from bipolar is featured in the VOICE Award winning documentary Cracking Up. He also received a Life Unlimited Award from Depression Bipolar Support Alliance, an Award of Excellence from the National Council of Behavioral Health, a Champion of Mental Health Award, and a Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada, and was recognized as one of the 150 Canadian Difference Makers in mental health. A sought after keynote speaker, he has worked with mental health organizations to perform and train SMH groups in over 50 cities in Canada, the U.S., and Australia. www.standupformentalhealth.com

Sarah Angela Clarke, RP

Sarah Angela Clarke, RP

Registered Psychotherapist

Sarah Angela Clarke is a Registered Psychotherapist with a background in skills development and creative arts facilitation. She has used many different approaches to bring healing to her own trauma, depression and PTSD – including having trained as a comic with David in 2009, and performing at several shows!  Sarah An is excited to work with David again, this time in a supportive role, bringing some additional psychotherapeutic reflection time to the training sessions.  Her hope is to facilitate each participant’s deeper connection with their mental health journey through the playful, creative and cathartic self-expression of comedy. www.sarahangelaclarke.com

Sarah Hutchison, BAH., BEd.

Sarah Hutchison, BAH., BEd.

Co-Founder - We Thrive Wellness Centre

As a ‘wellness-preneur,’ Sarah Hutchison believes deeply in a holistic approach to healing. Diagnosed with mental illness after the birth of her children, Sarah turned to spirituality, holistic health and community building to restore balance to her life. In 2014, Sarah co-founded Bliss B4 Laundry, a company offering transformational wellness retreats around Ontario. Before it’s retirement in 2022, the Bliss Community was thousands of women-strong. Based on the success of Bliss, Sarah was inspired to join her close friend, Cristol Smyth, to co-create We Thrive, a holistic wellness centre located in Downtown Belleville. The team of health practitioners at We Thrive, work in a circle of care model, to offer a wide variety of services, classes and events in a safe and welcoming environment. We Thrive helps people transform their health and happiness amongst a caring and inclusive community. www.wethrivewellness.ca

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