NI Mental Health Arts Festival set to challenge stigma and provoke debate

As May approaches, at Developing Healthy Communities we are starting to get excited about this year's Northern Ireland Mental Health Arts Festival (NIMHAF). The festival will run from 9-20 May, with a range of events for all ages, from talks and discussions, to workshops, performances, and interactive events.

"Our programme includes creative practice that challenges stigma and provokes debate, providing insights into how artists have channeled their lived experience to inspire others," explains the festival website. "We continue to champion both emerging artists as well as established artists, side by side."

Exhibition venues include 19 of Northern Ireland's leading visual art spaces, featuring the work of over 50 artists. Exhibition spaces include the CCA, Derry, Aeon Community Arts, Lurgan, QSS, Belfast and online - hosted on the NIMHAF website.

View the programme

The arts and health are a key emerging theme for our own organisation. The 2024 Derry and Strabane Healthy City and District Conference brought together health professionals, policymakers, and community leaders, the conference focused on the transformative potential of creative arts in health care. It highlighted the growing evidence supporting the integration of creative arts into healthcare systems, demonstrating its profound impact on mental and physical well-being.

The event featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including Prof Roger O’Sullivan from the Institute of Public Health, Julie McCarthy, Strategic Lead for Manchester Creative City, and Dan Hopewell, Director of Knowledge and Innovation at Bromley-by-Bow Health Partnership. Each speaker provided valuable insights into innovative programs and shared best practices for aligning creative arts with health improvement strategies. Click the following link to see the findings from the Northern Ireland Creative Network.

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