Lanarkshire played host to a diverse and inspiring line up of events as part of the second Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival
Avril Thomson, senior health promotion officer, said: “We had a really exciting programme of events across Lanarkshire for this year’s festival. “Arts and film are excellent ways of exploring our attitudes and understanding of mental health.There are still a lot of outdated attitudes about mental health issues. We hope that the festival events helped people see these in a new light.
The festival, which ran from 1-19 October, included film, comedy, music, theatre, literature and visual art as it brought together a unique partnership of arts, health and community organisations. Among the events was the Well Factor at Motherwell Concert Hall, which included fine performances by local people, displaying how the arts can help improve wellbeing and support recovery.
Ann-Marie Newman, of service user and carer’s group Lanarkshire Links, said: “Despite the fact that most people will have some personal experience of mental ill health, stigma, discrimination and inequality is commonplace within our society. “This stigma and discrimination impacts on individuals, families, communities and society as a whole. Most significantly, it stops people recovering their lives. “But it does not need to be this way. “We need positive stories to be held up as an example of what can and does happen.”
This year’s festival received a boost from Lanarkshire singer-songwriter Pat O’Neill who teamed up with Wet Wet Wet guitarist and producer Graeme Duffin. Pat donated three of his songs to Lanarkshire Links for a promotional CD in support of a mental health awareness raising campaign for the festival
Pat sings lead vocals on the record and is joined by musicians and backing singers connected to the Foundry Music Lab in Motherwell. Lanarkshire festival partners include NHS Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council, Lanarkshire Links, The University of Scotland, Bazooka Arts, Clubnet, Lanarkshire Association for Mental Health and Equals Advocacy Partnership.