Gestern • 17 Min.

How laughter and genuine human connection can support the mental health of young people in psychiatric care? Welcome to a new 'Between Two Curtains' podcast episode, produced by RED NOSES International as part of the ClowNexus project to mark World Mental Health Day on October 10. We are joined by Nadja Laine from ClowNexus partner organisation Sairaalaklovnit ry in Finland, where she works as a healthcare clown and Research & Project Coordinator. Together, we explore what a healthcare clown visit looks like in psychiatric settings, why laughter matters for our mental health, and whether there's more to the story behind Finland's reputation as the happiest country in the world. This episode is connected to 'ClowNexus—Creative Encounters for Mental Health', a project led by RED NOSES International. ClowNexus develops and tests specialised healthcare clowning methods for young people in paediatric psychiatric settings, strengthening humour and creativity-based approaches in youth mental health care across Europe. Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.