Award-winning comedy production company Objectively Funny is recreating their much-loved Small Book on Mental Health for the Edinburgh Fringe in 2024.

The book, which will be distributed for free to people who work at the Fringe, was first created in 2019 to widespread acclaim. Around 2500 copies were handed out that year to flyerers, technicians, venue staff, performers, directors, and anyone else who looked like they might be interested. These efforts won attention from BBC Radio Scotland, Voice Magazine, STV and the Guardian.

A second edition of the book was produced in 2022, when the Fringe returned after the pandemic. A similar number of copies were distributed, and this led to Martin Willis, the founder and Managing Director of Objectively Funny, being awarded the somewhat grandiose title of Best Person at the Comedians’ Choice Awards, voted for by anyone with a comedy show at the Fringe.

After a fallow summer last year in which the company didn’t produce any work at the Fringe (taking their own advice and putting their wellbeing first!), the book will be making a return in 2024. As well as insight on mental health first aid and from Scottish mental health charities, the new version will include writing from comedians and performers Lorna Rose Treen, James Rowland and Kiran Saggu. This edition has so far been self-funded, but the company is seeking support from the comedy community with the project with a crowdfunding campaign.

Contributor Lorna Rose Treen has said of the importance of the book, “I don’t think the ’sad clown’ approach to a comedian’s life is natural or positive. I think it comes from a misunderstanding of mental health. I think if you’re going to make a career out of making people laugh and have fun, you should also be having a nice time yourself - you matter. I have anxiety, but when I sleep well, eat well and spend time alone, I feel more stabilised and able to let loose and have a good time on stage. At Edinburgh Fringe, when I’m going home early or not drinking, I remind myself I want to be in this career for a long time, and a good time. I’m not here to burn out. This book is a vital reminder to look after yourself and others at the Fringe, to encourage behaviour that might be easy at home but is even more important at the world’s biggest arts festival.”

Martin Willis has said of the new campaign, “Objectively Funny is really proud of our work as a mental health champion at the Fringe. A lot has changed in the five years since we produced the first version of this book, but the need is no less pressing. Many people have become more aware of their own mental health over the course of this time, with the pandemic bringing a changing landscape addressing wellbeing, but the Edinburgh Fringe is a place of unique and extreme challenges beyond our daily life. In a small survey we did in 2019, 89% experienced of comedians had experienced poor mental health at the fringe, but nearly a third hadn’t accessed support.

“This book is here to support anyone that is bringing their skills and efforts to prop up the biggest and best festival in the world. Not just performers, but flyerers, technicians, venue staff, even (god forbid) a reviewer or two if they need it. Without external funding this year, we are looking to the industry to help us provide that support.”

The book can be supported at the Go Fund Me page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/produce-a-small-book-for-mental-health-this-e...