Healing through Laughter: Mental Health Support in Times of Crisis
Crises and emergencies leave deep marks on communities, leaving fear, anxiety, and sadness as constant companions. In these moments, access to mental health and psychosocial support is often scarce, yet more essential than ever. For children in hospitals, elderly individuals in care facilities, and displaced populations in refugee camps, emotional well-being can be as urgent a need as physical care.
At RED NOSES Jordan, we dedicate ourselves to addressing these challenges through the transformative power of clowning and humour. Every day, we witness how laughter, play, and creative engagement provide relief, connection, and hope to those facing hardship, making emotional healing accessible even in the most difficult circumstances.
Bringing Psychosocial Support to Those in Need
Since officially registering in Jordan in 2017, we have worked tirelessly across hospitals, refugee camps, and social facilities. With a dedicated team of 12 professional clowns and partnerships with 17 medical and social institutions, we have reached over 155,000 individuals and conducted more than 2,500 visits.
Our work spans paediatric bedside visits, circus workshops for children, and regular visits to older citizens, each designed to address the psychological and emotional challenges our participants face. By creating safe spaces where individuals can express themselves freely, laugh, and interact, we directly contribute to the resilience and well-being of those in vulnerable situations.
Clowning: More Than Just Laughter
The figure of the clown is central to everything we do. Universally recognized and relatable, the clown bridges gaps caused by age, culture, or circumstance. Through playful interactions, music, and theatrical improvisation, we provide individuals with opportunities to process fear, sadness, and anxiety in a safe, supportive environment.
By normalizing mistakes and reframing failures into successes, our clowning fosters self-confidence, empowerment, and emotional coping skills. Beyond entertainment, this approach is scientifically supported to alleviate stress, anxiety, and loneliness. The individuals we work with experience improved mood, reduced fear during medical procedures, and increased social interaction — effects that complement traditional mental health services and enhance overall psychosocial well-being.
Impact in Action
We see the transformative effects of our work every day. Children participating in circus workshops or bedside visits gain not only joy but also confidence, communication skills, and resilience. Older citizens report feeling more connected, engaged, and valued, while caregivers and families benefit from reduced stress and improved interactions with their loved ones.
Our approach also strengthens the broader community. By integrating humour and psychosocial support into emergency and medical settings, we show how emotional care can be embedded into crisis response, reinforcing the idea that mental health is a vital component of overall recovery.
A Moment of Transformation: The Bubble Factory
Ahmed, a young boy at the King Hussein Cancer Center, perfectly illustrates the impact of our work. When we first entered his room, he was withdrawn, leaning on his mother as if shielding himself from the world. A simple game with bubbles became a bridge to joy.
As the bubbles danced through the air, Ahmed lifted his gaze, tentatively reached out, and then began to laugh — fully, freely, and with unrestrained delight. His parents joined in, their initial anxiety replaced with shared joy. By the end of the visit, Ahmed proudly wore a red clown nose, a symbolic reminder that play and laughter can restore connection, spark hope, and create lasting emotional healing.
Moments like these remind us every day that our presence is not only about drawing smiles, but about giving life new meaning, even in the hardest circumstances
Strengthening Access to Mental Health Support
Through our ongoing visits, workshops, and caregiver training, we help build resilience, social cohesion, and coping mechanisms, equipping individuals and communities to face the psychological challenges that accompany emergencies and hardships.
Every visit demonstrates that access to psychosocial support in crises is not a luxury, but a necessity. Through laughter and creative engagement, we make emotional care a tangible reality for the populations that need it most.
A Call to Smile
The experiences of children, families, and older citizens alike remind us that mental health support must be accessible to all, even in times of crisis. At RED NOSES Jordan, we remain committed to ensuring that joy, connection, and psychosocial care reach everyone who needs it.
Laughter is more than a moment of fun — it is a bridge to healing, a catalyst for resilience, and a source of hope. In the midst of hardship, every smile and shared laugh contributes to emotional recovery, proving that even the smallest moments of levity can have lasting impact.
