Out of Sight, Out of Mind opens on World Mental Health Day, 10 October, with almost 400 artworks exploring mental health showcased in the largest exhibition of its kind in Scotland.

This diverse and ambitious multimedia exhibition is created by hundreds of artists with experience of mental health issues. It is an inclusive and accessible platform for people who want to use the arts to have their often-unheard voices heard. Powerful and stunning, the artwork aims to generate a response, whilst challenging misconceptions surrounding mental health. The motivations of the individuals and groups involved are varied - personal expression; development of an artistic practice; experiencing the therapeutic benefits of making; formal art therapy; political activism; having a voice, and many others.

Now in its sixth year, Out of Sight Out of Mind has quadrupled in size since its 2013 launch as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF). A feast of film, sculpture, installation, photography, painting and drawing, it continues to be supported by SMHAF and the Mental Health Foundation as part of their year-round arts programme, and also supported by NHS Lothian’s Sense of Belonging Arts Programme. This year the exhibition will consist of almost 400 artworks, and fill more than an entire floor of the extensive gallery spaces at Summerhall in Edinburgh.

Out of Sight Out of Mind came into existence in 2013 as a collaborative project between CAPS Independent Advocacy, The Alma Project, MECOPP Gypsy/Traveller Carer’s Project, Penumbra, LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing, Bipolar Scotland and several individual artists.

On two Wednesday afternoon’s throughout the exhibition, OOSOOM Uncovered will offer a relaxed space for artists to talk to people about their work, with different artists speaking each week. OOSOOM Uncovered will take place on Wednesday 17, and 24 October, from 2-4pm.