MEDIA RELEASE
Att : Chief-of-Staff/News Editors

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE

The old adage about laughter being the best medicine has proven true for a group of Sunshine Coast TAFE students who have been using laughter therapy as part of the Making a Difference Program (MAD).

MAD is designed to help students with learning and behavioural problems, re-engage with the education system and also encourages them to establish clear pathways for the future.

MAD is a joint initiative between Sunshine Coast TAFE and the Department of Education.

Once a student has been identified as suitable, they are removed from school to take part in an intensive eight-week TAFE training program.

During the eight weeks students learn a range of new skills including carpentry, engineering, cooking, health and wellbeing, fitness, budgeting and personal care and also take part in regular laughter therapy sessions.

Students also undergo individual personality assessments and are closely monitored by trained counsellors who act as mentors and encourage the students to succeed.

MAD coordinator Robert Fleming said since laughter therapy was introduced, the students had become more relaxed and seem more willing to participate in activities.

“During our laughter therapy sessions we all dress up in ridiculous brightly coloured clothing and release our emotions while engaging in hysterical laughter,” Mr Fleming said.

“Laughter therapy encourages students to use the natural, physiological process of laughter to address the painful emotions of anger, fear and boredom and we also found the therapy restores personal
power and addresses anger, trauma and pain.”

Susan Brown was a sales and marketing executive for many
years before she started teaching laughter therapy and now she
visits Sunshine Coast TAFE regularly to deliver her sessions to
the MAD group.

Known as the “Laughter Lady”, Susan operates a business called Lets Laugh and holds regular laughter therapy sessions all over the Sunshine Coast.

Susan said laughter therapy was a highly successful treatment for negative emotions that has helped one former TAFE student take control of his life.

“When I first started visiting TAFE I met a young man who was violent and on drugs and he was also living on the street and at risk of taking his own life,” Susan said.

“After regular laughter therapy sessions his life has changed dramatically and his parents have told me that the therapy saved their son’s life and the positive ripple effect is still occurring.”

“This young man now comes to schools with me dressed as a clown and tells the students how laughter gave him his life back from almost the point of no return.”

“This young man is a complete inspiration who is living proof that laughter really is the best medicine.”

August 15 2006

Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE
34 Lady Musgrave Drive
Mooloolaba

Website  HYPERLINK - www.sunshinecoast.tafe.qld.gov.au

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