Mickey Bell Brings Laughter and Mental Health Awareness to Davidson County, With a Local Twist
By Antionette Kerr/Davidson Local
Nationally touring comedian and mental health advocate Mickey Bell brought his Laugh Responsibly Tour to Welcome, NC, on Saturday, Sept. 7, performing at Center Church of Welcome.
In his interview with Davidson Local Youth Correspondent Riley Elliott, Bell said, “Clean comedy is kinda making a comeback. People want to be able to bring the whole family and not worry about what they’re going to hear.”
Bell has also shared the deeper mission behind his work: “I don’t just want to make people laugh. I want to help them see that joy and healing are possible, even in the darkest times.”
On coping with mental health challenges, he added: “I’ve started living one thought at a time... You have to always keep in mind what those triggers are... when you start feeling overwhelmed in that moment... Don’t be ashamed.”
Elliott also celebrated Bell’s online reach: “He has an incredible social media brand that connects with so many people.”
Elliott is no stranger to building a positive platform herself. As the smile behind The Scoop, a marketing brand she developed, her work reaches youth across the U.S. In a social media world that can be cold and ugly, her message adds sweetness to the mix.
That same day, Bell surprised Elliott by inviting her to join him on stage during the show.
“It was surreal,” Elliott said. “Talking with Mickey was already a great opportunity, but when he asked me to be part of the show, I couldn’t believe it. I’m honored and excited — and I just hope I got a few laughs.”
Elliott is a Central Davidson High School senior, recently crowned Ms. Central Davidson, and currently serves as the statewide DARE representative. Next week, she shifts from the comedy stage to the fairgrounds, competing for another title at the Davidson County Fair.
The night in Welcome was more than a comedy show — it was a reminder that faith and mental health matters. Bell talked about how laughter can heal, and that in a digital world where negativity spreads fast, voices like Bell’s and Elliott’s prove that positivity still has the power to connect and inspire.
