After losing several comrades to suicide, Founder, LTC (Retired) Robin Johnson was driven by grief and frustration that more wasn’t being done to address this crisis. In her search for a solution, she turned to her own skills and experiences to create change. As she worked to develop an innovative approach to complement traditional suicide prevention methods, an epiphany struck: We know how to respond when someone is choking — because we can see it happening. But when our minds are overwhelmed with negative thoughts, there’s no clear way to intervene. There is no “Heimlich maneuver” for the brain.
This insight led her to a groundbreaking belief: Laughter, as an accessible and powerful tool, could serve as a kind of mental Heimlich maneuver, helping to clear negative thoughts and prevent the escalation of suicidal ideation. With this vision, she founded HEAL*ARIOUS, a unique initiative focused on using humor to support mental wellness and prevent suicide.