THE theme of this year’s Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF) is inspired by the anxieties created by Brexit and is a celebration of the festival’s community-based, international outlook, says one of its organisers.
Now in its 13th year, SMHAF takes place in venues across Scotland for much of May, with more than 300 events seeking help to promote positive mental health through creativity.
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The nationwide programme, now one of the biggest festivals of its kind in the world, will explore the ways in which we are all connected to each other and the impact of isolation on our mental health.
The festival’s arts lead Andrew Eaton-Lewis (above) says the theme of connection is echoed across the festival, from theatre productions such as SMHAF’s flagship show Electrolyte to film screenings, discussions and walking events across the country where people are invited to share their thoughts on mental health issues with others.
The act of conversation can be transformative, Eaton-Lewis says, helping to unburden those involved as well as opening up possibilities for new relationships, perspectives and, ultimately, healing.
“If you give people an opportunity to talk about mental health issues, people often do,” he says. “They might not start it, because people often don’t know how to talk about it. But if someone else introduces it, they find it’s something they do want to talk about.”
Recurring themes in the entries to SMHAF’s writing awards echoed those identified by the festival’s regional co-ordinators across Scotland, he explains.
“The uncertainties around Brexit came up a lot, as well as themes of being disconnected, of trying to find connections,” says Eaton-Lewis.
He adds: “Part of the reason we wanted to have the theme of connection is that the festival is not programmed by one artistic director but by people all around Scotland. We really want to celebrate that.”
May 3-26, venues around Scotland. Find events in your area and see the trailer at www.mhfestival.com
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