Mark McConville
“Mate, thanks again for last night. It was absolutely amazing. Your approach to suicide and mental health awareness is unparalleled. I’ve never seen it demonstrated or performed like that—so in-depth and interesting, yet you brought in the laughter, which made everyone feel genuinely happy. I even noticed that guy who kept asking the odd questions—he was laughing too, even when he said he felt like he couldn’t. Mate, I’m sure you touched a lot of people last night. You should be really proud of the work you’re doing, because that was honestly one of the best I’ve ever seen. Thanks again.”
“Our thanks to you can never be too much. Feedback from everyone in attendance at our conference has been overwhelming. The highlight for many was your MC’ing, it made a huge difference. Thanks for your professionalism, good humour and the keynote on goal setting and mental health, we loved it. Planning for our 2025 Conference is about to start and we would like to offer you the opportunity to again join with us as MC of this event.”
“Mark ran multiple sessions for Townsville University Hospital during Mental Health Week 2024. He was able to share his unique perspective of combining humour with mental healthcare.
These were all enjoyed by a diverse range of over 200 healthcare staff and provided them with useful take home points to incorporate into their work practice and their own self-care. A massive thanks to Mark, from THHS, for adding a beneficial levity to the often-serious business of healthcare. I hope Mark continues to share his talents with other healthcare providers, and those in other frontline industries.”
Mark McConville is an accomplished Stand-Up Comedian, MC and Keynote Speaker and has been working in the Australian entertainment industry since 1998. In 2018 Mark graduated from Griffith University with a master’s degree in Suicidology. He subsequently was appointed as Adjunct Lecturer at The Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention AISRAP, based at Griffith University, a position he maintains today.
As Australia’s only full-time professional comedian/suicidologist, Mark has combined his natural talent in comedy with his expertise in suicidology to impact communities around Australia. His Laughter Clinic Keynote presentations and workshops have been proven to help in the fight against stress, anxiety, depression and ultimately suicidality.
His journey into the field of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention began back in late 2014 when Mark first met with Emeritus Professor Diego de Leo, former Director of the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP), based at Griffith University’s Mt Gravatt Campus. The aim of this meeting was to discuss whether Griffith University would be interested in supporting Marks research ideas; to test his own theory of using humour and laughter tools as a direct means of helping to prevent suicide. Professor De Leo thought the idea was both unique and worthy of merit, so he encouraged Mark to apply to enrol in AISRAP’s Suicidology post graduate program, starting with the Graduate Certificate in Suicide Prevention Studies offered by AISRAP at Griffith University.
In 2015, at the age of 45, Mark attended university for the first time in his life. He was eligible to enter the Graduate Certificate program based on prior industry and lived experience of suicidality.
Mark achieved outstanding results in this program, receiving a Griffith Award for Academic Excellence in 2016, while also becoming eligible to enter the Master of Suicidology program, a world first qualification offered by Griffith University and awarded to him in 2018.
With unwavering encouragement, guidance and support from Griffith’s Senior Lecturer and Program Director of Suicidology, Dr Jacinta Hawgood, and Primary Dissertation Supervisor, Dr Gavan Palk, Mark found himself go from a struggling student to a confident university Alumni, and a leading suicidology expert in his field.
Since 2018 Mark has been a resident presenter in the ‘Triumph Over Trauma’ program which is run by the not-for-profit foundation ‘4 Aussie Heroes’. This program is specifically for military and first responder personnel, past and present, who are suffering with PTSD and other related mental health issues.
On numerous occasions Mark has also presented on the topics of mental health and suicide prevention to the Crime and Intelligence Command Branch of Queensland Police.
In 2021 Mark was invited to present his Laughter Clinic Workshop at the 31st International Association for Suicide Prevention’s World Congress. The IASP World Congress is the primary global collaborative opportunity for expert thinking related to suicide and suicide prevention.
Now in 2025 Mark represents AISRAP on numerous levels, from community-based events for awareness raising about suicide prevention, to delivery of his renowned Laughter Clinic keynote presentations and workshops. He provides staunch support for the importance of suicide prevention research conducted by AISRAP, also a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention.
Mark prides himself on being a dedicated member of the Griffith Alumni family; he has worked for and represented Griffith University on numerous occasions including:
Multiple presentations of his Laughter Clinic as part of Griffith’s Mental Health and Well-Being Week Programs, both on campus and online.
Master of Ceremonies for AISRAP’s annual World Suicide Prevention Day Community Forums
Master of Ceremonies for Griffith’s Virtual Open House
Master of Ceremonies for Griffith University Outstanding Alumni Awards
Presenter at the International Association for Suicide Prevention World Congress, co-hosted by AISRAP
On Air contributor for ABC Radio Qld on topics relating to suicide prevention and mental health
Fundraising Partner for AISRAP, to support community workshops and research into suicide prevention and,
Western Qld Touring Partner for AISRAP in preventing suicide in rural and remote communities, via his renowned Laughter Clinic which is informed directly by the evidence-based outcomes and theoretical findings of his Master of Suicidology research.
Mark’s superpower? using humour and lived experience to deliver unforgettable, practical insights on mental health.
THEMES & PRESENTATIONS
The Laughter Clinic
A Mental Health Community Event Hear from Mark McConville, Australia’s only full-time professional comedian with a master’s degree in Suicidology. Mark offers a unique perspective about mental health as he also draws on over 15 years of lived experience battling and overcoming depression. This insightful presentation offers the perfect balance of humour and laughter with easy to remember mental health self-care strategies and take away messages.
Laughter Clinic (Veterans / Defence / Families)Join comedian and suicidologist Mark McConville as he presents his “It’s ok to laugh” Laughter Clinic, a mental health presentation for defence personnel and their families. Since 2018 Mark has been a resident presenter in the ‘Triumph Over Trauma’ program which is run by the ‘4 Aussie Heroes Foundation’. This program is specifically for military and first responder personnel, past and present, who are suffering with PTSD and other related mental health issues. Mark has the innate ability to ensure the right balance of humour and laughter with easy to remember mental health self-care strategies and take away messages.
Laughter Clinic Health Professionals / First Responders
Join comedian and suicidologist Mark McConville as he presents his “It’s ok to Laugh” Laughter Clinic, a specialized presentation tailored for Health Professionals and First Responders. Discover why your unique sense of humour is a potent self-care tool for resilience and coping with high levels of stress. Since 2018 Mark has been helping in the post traumatic growth of military and first responder personnel, past and present, who are suffering with PTSD and other related mental health issues. On numerous occasions Mark has also presented on the topics of mental health and suicide prevention for Queensland Police.
Laughter Clinic for Teachers/Educators/Carers
Join professional comedian and suicidologist Mark McConville as he presents his Laughter Clinic Keynote Presentation. This highly interactive session combines comedy and laughter with the latest research in the field of Suicidology to produce a fun, yet very powerful event aimed at encouraging self-care for teachers, educators and carers.
Cont..
LIFE SKILLS MASTERCLASS for yrs 11-12 students 15-17yrs oldIn this Life Skills Masterclass specifically designed for 15-17 yr olds, comedian and suicidologist Mark McConville uses the power of storytelling to entertain, educate and empower his young attendees to help them navigate the challenges of adolescence. In this 1-hour session Mark outlines how having certain Life Skills can also be beneficial to their mental health and that of their friends and family.
Subjects Mark can also present on:
Warning Signs, Risk Factors, 60 min Presentation
Protective Factors
Mental Health Self-Care60 min Presentation
(General)
Mental Health Self-Care60 min Presentation
(First Responder / Veteran)
Suicide Prevention & Mental Health60 min Presentation
(An overview)
