News & Features
All things Craic, Creative Health and Comedy-on-Prescription
AI and the creative industries: collaboration or conflict?
On Valentine’s Day, in what could be seen as an act of love for the creative sector, industry leaders gathered for the UKAI roundtable on AI and copyright. Hosted by Adobe and chaired by Baroness Thangam Debbonaire, the discussion brought together key voices from AI, policy, and the creative industries The debate was clear: how can AI and creativity coexist in a way that respects intellectual property, supports innovation, and ensures fairness for all?
Comedy-on-Prescription: The Future of Preventative Healthcare
On Thursday 13 March 2025, the Houses of Parliament will host a landmark roundtable on Comedy-on-Prescription, an innovative approach to mental health and social prescribing. This invite-only event, co-hosted by Dr Simon Opher MP and Craic Founder, Louisa Jackson, will bring together key policymakers, healthcare leaders, and comedy industry professionals to explore how laughter can be harnessed to improve wellbeing and reduce the UK’s £300 billion mental health burden.
Dr Simon Opher MP joins comedy panel & adds ‘Comedy-on-Prescription’ to Hansard
Laughter is more than entertainment—it’s a powerful, evidence-backed tool for mental well-being. Craic Health is leading the charge with Comedy-on-Prescription, embedding comedy into NHS social prescribing to tackle loneliness, depression, and stress. With political backing from Dr Simon Opher MP and early trials proving its impact, this movement is gaining momentum.
MEDIA
CHANNEL 5: Interview experts and children craic’g jokes at The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival 2025.
“They say that laughter is the best medicine... but now Comedy-on-Prescription trials are taking place to see if that's actually true! A comedy prescription could soon be a reality if you're struggling with your mental health and it might reduce NHS costs and a reliance on antidepressants.” (Link).
NEWS ARTICLES
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The Independent UK
‘NO-BRAINER’ TO FUND COMEDY-ON-PRESCRIPTION TO AID MENTAL HEALTH, MPs HEAR
by Richard WheelerTrials have taken place in London as supporters of the project seek to use an alternative to antidepressants to help people with mild symptoms.
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Metro Newspaper
YOU’RE HAVING A LAUGH
by Katie Boyden8.7Million of us are on anti-depressants – could comedy on the NHS help? People on antidepressants could be given ‘comedy-on-prescription’ instead.
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The Times
WHY PRESCRIBING STAND-UP COMEDY MIGHT BEAT TAKING ANTIDEPRESSANTS
by Eleanor HaywardTrial tests whether patients struggling with depression and social isolation might benefit more from laughter than medication.
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GB NEWS
BRITAIN’S NEWSROOM - THU, 20 FEB 2025
with Andrew Pierce and Bev TurnerCraic Fouder Louisa Jackson and Comedian Producer Jojo Sutherlad are live interviewed by GB News (Watch from 01:46:00).
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The Independent UK
COMEDY TRIALLED AS TREATMENT OPTION TO REDUCE NHS COSTS
by Richard WheelerComedy is being trialled as a potential treatment for mental health issues in a groundbreaking new scheme.
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LBC: NICK FERRARI
LIVE AUDIO INTERVIEW
with Nick FerrariLBC’s Nick Ferrari interviews Louisa Jackson, Founder of Craic regarding Comedy-on-Prescription (Listen from 01:52:00).
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The Telegraph
NHS MENTAL HEALTH PATIENTS PRESCRIBED COMEDY SHOWS
by Joe PinkstoneA tech company will run the trial which will include tickets to stand-up shows and improv workshops in a bid to reduce costs to the state.
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ITV
CAN YOU PRESCRIBE LAUGHTER?
by Richard WheelerA laugh may brighten a room and improve the mood of everyone in it, but can you prescribe a smile? A new NHS trial is putting that to the test.
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CHORTLE
COULD YOU GET COMEDY ON PRESCRIPTION?
by Steve BennettNew trial scheme to improve people's health: They say laughter is the best medicine… now patients are set to get comedy gigs on prescription.
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Sky News UK
COMEDY-ON-PRESCRIPTION TRIALS UNDER WAY
by Sky News ReporterThe project has the support of Labour MP Dr Simon Opher, who has previously warned of "the pandemic of over-prescription".
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Men's Health
CAN YOU PRESCRIBE LAUGHTER? THE NHS IS GIVING IT A GO
by Andrew TraceyHave you heard the one about the NHS trialling a prescription for laughter? Oh, this one isn't joke, turns out.
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The Independent UK
WHY LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR YOU
by Camilla FosterFrom reducing stress to enhancing social connections, the health benefits of laughter are backed by science.
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Daily Mail UK
IS LAUGHTER THE BEST MEDICINE?
by Daily Mail ReporterComedy shows could be prescribed for people on antidepressants to curb NHS costs. NICE guidelines note antidepressants should not be routinely offered as the first treatment for less severe depression.
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Daily Star Newspaper
LAUGHTER’S A MEDICINE
by Richard Wheeler‘Comedy-on-prescription’ trials under way in bid to improve mental health. Grant funding has been secured for the social prescribing scheme in the Westminster area of London.
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ARD Germany
LACHEN AUF REZEPT – WARUM IN GB SPASS VERSCHRIEBEN WIRD
by Franziska HoppenGerman interview: Comedy-on-Prescription: why fun is prescribed in the UK.
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LBC
COMEDY-ON-PRESCRIPTION TRIALS
by Alice PadgettTrials are taking place to see if 'comedy on prescription' can help improve people's mental health, as nine million Brits are on antidepressants.
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Western Daily Press
TRIAL FOR COMEDY ‘ON PRESCRIPTION’
by Richard WheelerTechnology firm Craic Health said it is looking at whether its “comedy-on-prescription” approach can help reduce England’s mental ill health costs in line with other social prescribing schemes.
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Manchester Evening News
IS LAUGHTER THE BEST MEDICINE?
by Richard WheelerTrials are taking place to see if 'comedy-on-prescription' can help improve people's mental health, reduce NHS costs, and offer alternatives to antidepressants.