Comedy on prescription and social prescribing

Patients struggling with depression or other mental health issues could be prescribed a new kind of alternative to antidepressants

More and more of us are receiving prescriptions for antidepressants. Around one in five adults in England are on antidepressants. NHS figures show 8.7 million people in England took antidepressants in 2023/24, an increase of 2.1% compared to 2022/23. A new scheme aims to offer an alternative to prescription antidepressants.

Craic Health has received funding for a new scheme which will send those struggling with depression or other mental health issues to comedy workshops or stand-up shows in hopes of helping people who are feeling isolated, lonely, and vulnerable get involved in their local community. It is hoped that this new scheme offering ‘comedy on prescription’ could help reduce NHS costs. 

The new initiative aims to explore whether laughter can help offer an alternative treatment to other traditional treatment methods for depression like antidepressants, in the hope of potentially reducing NHS costs. 

What is social prescribing?

Social prescribing initiatives seek to connect people with other methods of support to address issues and unmet needs. This could mean prescribing someone an art class, a community gardening project, connecting them with a service to help them with managing debt, or a healthy form of exercise that they are comfortable trying. 

Social prescribing offers practical and emotional support. Often beginning with a referral from a GP, hospital, or charity, the individual is put in touch with a Social Prescribing Link Worker. A link worker listens to individuals to understand their situation and what matters to them, helping link them to organisations or information that can help. 

It’s thought that around a fifth of GP appointments are spent on non-medical problems including isolation, loneliness, and relationship issues. Social prescribing can help provide another way to help people address these issues, helping take some of the pressure off of GPs. 

NHS England explains more about social prescribing. 

Treatment for depression

A number of different treatment options and suggestions are available for those experiencing depression, with recommendations varying depending on how severe the symptoms are. Those with mild depression might be recommended ‘watchful waiting’, lifestyle changes like guided self-help and exercise, or talking therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Those with moderate or severe depression might be offered a combination of talking therapy and antidepressants. 

According to current NHS wait times, 92% of referrals wait less than six weeks to access NHS talking therapies. However, Rethink Mental Illness found that 80% of those waiting to access services experienced a deterioration in their mental health while waiting for support, and only 21% felt that they received treatment in adequate time. 

With one in five adults currently taking antidepressants, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines do note that antidepressants shouldn’t be offered as the first treatment for less severe depression unless it is the patient’s preference. With lengthy waiting times in some areas for NHS-funded therapy and support, many turn towards medication or private therapy for more immediate help. Social prescribing could offer a complimentary or alternative route to help support individuals. 

Therapy for depression

Working with a professional counsellor or therapist can help you to better understand your needs as well as to identify underlying issues that might be leading to how you are feeling. A professional can help to teach you self-help tips, and introduce you to mindful breathing and meditation. 

While CBT is most commonly offered by the NHS, other forms of counselling can often be helpful for individuals. Not every kind of therapy works for everyone – trying different methods, or working with different therapists to find one that works best for you can be helpful. 

Other forms of therapy that can help with depression can include depression counselling, counselling for depression (CfD), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), psychodynamic therapy, art therapy, and group therapy. 

If you're struggling with depression, know that support is available, and there are many different paths to feeling better. Whether it’s traditional therapy, medication, or new approaches like social prescribing, finding what works for you is what matters most. Laughter might not be a cure-all, but connecting with others and discovering joy in unexpected places could be a step toward healing. If you or someone you know needs help, don’t hesitate to reach out to a GP, or a mental health professional. No one should have to face it alone.