Programs
THE LIGHTER SIDE OF MENTAL HEALTH
The Lighter Side of Mental Health program (LSMH) helps begin a school-wide conversation about mental health that teaches students from all backgrounds how to seek support when they’re not okay. Using the power of stand-up comedy, LSMH brings students on an entertaining journey of self-discovery, empathy, and mutual support to promote positive mental health for the whole school.
The Lighter Side of Mental Health - Student Edition
For most students, knowing how to say “I’m not okay” at school is really difficult. Our popular assembly presentation offers a safe space to explore their own feelings, start crucial conversations with their peers, and learn how to ask for help. By taking a humorous look at common myths and stereotypes, we empower your elementary and high school students to share their feelings, take responsibility for self-care, and practice empathy for others. Students in this program report a greater awareness of their own mental health and a better understanding of how to seek support.
You’ll get:
A 30-minute principal’s consultation to identify key issues and challenges
Two 45-60 minute assembly presentations with age-appropriate language and messaging
Three follow-up calls to support implementation + free email resources for 12 months.
The Lighter Side of Mental Health - Community Edition
Supporting your child’s mental health at home can help them build trust, confidence, and resilience as they navigate the emotional challenges of growing up. In this humorous and practical program for parents and caregivers, we explore the foundations of mental health in elementary and high school students. You’ll learn proven language and techniques to begin crucial conversations with your child, so that they can safely explore complex feelings and confidently ask for help at home and in the community.
This program is ideal for parent-teacher associations, community organizations, and any group of engaged parents and caregivers. It can also play a powerful supporting role in any whole-school strategy to address specific issues such as bullying, racism, etc.
You’ll get:
A 15-minute parents council or principal consultation to identify key concerns and goals
One 45-60 minute assembly presentations with age-appropriate language and messaging
The Lighter Side of Mental Health - Educator Edition
The mental health of teachers is often profoundly connected to their students’ well-being. Teachers face significant daily stresses, but few mental health programs include direct support for teachers. We offer a candid, supportive conversation with teachers that helps them rediscover their professional “calling” and provides practical tools to manage stress and avoid burnout. By learning and practicing self-awareness, lifestyle balance, empathy, and self-efficacy, teachers become more conscious of their well-being. In learning to support themselves, teachers set a powerful example for students to prioritize their own mental health.
This program is ideal for principals and administrators who value the well-being of teachers as a critical part of the learning equation. It is also an essential component of any whole-school strategy for mental health that involves students, parents, and the community.
You’ll get:
A 15-minute principal’s consultation to identify key issues and challenges
One 45-60 minute keynote presentations
Three follow-up calls to support implementation + free email resources for 12 months.
The Lighter Side of Mental Health - Showcase Edition
This hands-on workshop series helps students (or teachers) to explore and share their mental health challenges by learning the basics of stand-up comedy. Over eight weeks, participants learn to process and express their own experiences with mental health by creating a comedy routine. Each workshop builds skills in how to write, refine, and deliver a stand-up routine, and offers expert mentoring and constructive peer feedback in a non-judgmental environment. At the end of the program, participants perform their routine before a supportive audience in a public showcase.
This program is ideal for principals, administrators and teachers who understand the powerful role of peer mentoring in supporting students’ mental health. When students become positive role models for each other, it produces more harmony in the school environment and helps more students to feel heard and validated. This program is also an essential component in any whole-school strategy to improve graduation rates, decrease behavioural issues, and reduce strain on guidance resources.
You’ll get:
Questionnaire + 30 mins principal’s consultation to identify key issues and challenges
Eight 45-60 mins Workshop sessions facilitated by Ian Brown and a trained coach/mentor
Two 30 minute peer mentoring training sessions
A wellness check before and after each session
Three follow-up calls to support implementation + free email resources for 12 months.
30-45 mins participants comedy showcase
What PEople say
“HILARIOUS, KEPT EVERYONE SMILING AND PAYING ATTENTION”
“IN MOST ASSEMBLIES STUDENTS DON’T PAY ATTENTION, BUT THE WAY IAN PRESENTED THE TOPIC OF MENTAL HEALTH IT WAS FUNNY AND ALLOWED STUDENTS TO TAKE IN MORE INFORMATION”
“RELATED IMPORTANT CONCEPTS AT THE STUDENT LEVEL”
“IAN IS AN AWESOME PERSON TO LOOK UP TO, I THINK HIS POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND HIS THOUGHTS TOWARDS MENTAL HEALTH JUST MAKES EVERYBODY WANT TO GET INFORMED AND HE A PERSON EVERYBODY SHOULD LISTEN TO”
“ENCOURAGED OUR STUDENTS TO RAISE THEIR VOICES”
Meet IAN
Combining his insight into mental health, love for comedy and his passion for working with children and youth, Ian supports the transformation of school environments to create space for crucial conversation about mental health that are accessible to everyone.
Ian has delivered keynote presentations, programs and workshops on these themes to over 35,000 students, as well as hundreds of parents/guardians and administrators.
Ian is a trained mental health speaker, possesses a degree from Ryerson University and has his Masters in Social Justice Education. When Ian is not working, you can find him enjoying life in Toronto with his partner Steph and their two children. He is also the chair of his child parent council and is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people.
BOOK A Call
Go ahead a schedule a time below with us, we’d be delighted to set up a 30-minute “discovery call” with you, to answer questions, understand your school’s pain points, budget, and overall needs.