DONATE

About Our Founder

David Granirer, RPC, MPCC, M.S.M, is a counselor, stand-up comic, and mental health keynote speaker. David, who himself has depression and bipolar has taught stand-up comedy to recovering addicts and cancer patients, and founded Stand Up For Mental Health, his award-winning program teaching comedy to people with mental health issues in 2004. 

His work is featured by media worldwide and in the VOICE Award winning Passionate Eye documentary Cracking Up and the award-winning Australian documentary Crack Up.

He has trained Stand Up For Mental Health groups in partnership with various mental health organizations in over 50 cities in Canada, the U.S., and Australia.

He is the recipient of an Award of Excellence from National Council for Behavioral Health for his work using comedy to de-stigmatize mental illness.

He also received a Champion of Mental Health Award. These national awards recognize individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the mental health agenda in Canada.

He is also the recipient of a Life Unlimited Award presented by the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance. This is a national award given to individuals who live a life unlimited by their mood disorders and inspire others to do the same.

His program also won a Rotary Shine On Award in Australia for special achievement in mental health.

He was also awarded a Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada for his work with Stand Up For Mental Health. And he was recognized as one of the 150 Canadian Difference Makers in mental health.

Since 2004 David and his comics have performed over 500 shows for mental health organizations, government departments, corporations, universities, correctional facilities, and the military.