WHO Stands Up for Mental Health 2026

Fourth Annual Comedy Benefit for the Columbia-World Health Organization Center for Global Mental Health

Join us on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 from 6:00 9:00 pm EDT at Gotham Comedy Club, located at 208 West 23rd Street, NYC

Nothing beats doing something fun for a cause. Mental health and substance use issues affect someone in every family; someone you know, someone you love, and someone you care about. Join us for a fabulous evening of comedy that puts mental health front and center, for those joining us at Gotham Comedy Club and for communities around the globe.

Net proceeds of the event will directly support the initiatives of the Columbia-World Health Organization Center for Global Mental Health to advance research, build capacity in low-resource settings, and offer research and mentorship opportunities for scholars to make a meaningful impact in their communities.

Host: Ashley Austin Morris

 

We are thrilled to announce that the incredibly talented Ashley Austin Morris has agreed to host WHO Stands Up for Mental Health for the third consecutive year! Ashley is an actor, comedian, and writer. She recently starred as Roxanne Hertz in FX’s Fleishman Is In Trouble and played Nicole in Shonda Rhimes’ Inventing Anna. Other TV credits include The Other Two (HBO), The BiteIliza Shlesinger Sketch Show (Netflix), Tommy (CBS), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon), Prodigal Son (FOX), and Murphy Brown (CBS). Morris appeared in films such as Clint Eastwood’s Sully. Her theater work includes Die Mommie DieLove, Loss, and What I Wore, and Romance Novels for Dummies. Her comedy album Slightly Off debuted at number one on iTunes and Spotify, and she performs regularly at major comedy clubs. Her writing includes Libido Limbo and contributions to the off-Broadway show Stuffed.

Schedule:

  • 6:00 – 7:30 pm  Cocktail reception
  • 7:30 – 9:00 pm  Comedy performance

Tickets:

  • We are offering the option to sponsor tickets—available through the ticket sales page—for community-based mental health workers, global mental health students, or individuals with lived experience who would otherwise not be able to attend the event.

Tickets include the stand-up comedy performance, top-shelf open bar, and appetizer reception.
Note: You must be 21+ to attend.

  • If you are purchasing a table and would like to pay via check or bank transfer, please contact us at info@ccgmh.org.
  • Corporate Sponsorships: $25,000 and $50,000. For more information, please contact us at info@ccgmh.org.
  • Seating Policy: Guests will be assigned their table upon arrival. You can reach Gotham Comedy Club at (212) 367-9000.
WHO Stands Up for Mental Health 2025
WHO Stands Up for Mental Health
Fourth Annual Comedy Benefit for the Columbia-WHO Center for Global Mental Health
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | 6:00 – 9:00 pm EDT
Gotham Comedy Club, 208 West 23rd Street, NYC