We have hundreds of events in our programme – taking place across Scotland and online – all using the arts to bring people together, challenge perceptions and promote good mental health for all. Here are a few highlights to get you started.
Gatherings
Our opening day Gathering is the first of many chances to come together, with a full day of screenings, conversations and performances at the CCA: Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow. Thrive Edinburgh host a complementary opening event at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, while there will also be activity in Ayrshire and Inverness. Gather outdoors for the Thrive Gathering, creative Tree Chatter Walks in the Highlands, Paisley’s Community Labyrinth Launch and The Big Gather at Ardrossan South Beach. Inspiring Life is a day-long creative gathering in the Borders and we also have plenty of ways you can gather online.
Theatre
All of Me is our headline show at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow. Caroline Horton’s Mental Health Fringe Award-winning show is an intimate and absurd exploration of wanting to live, wanting to die and what can happen if we sit together with the dark. One Mississippi and Though This Be Madness go on tour across Scotland. The White Chip is a rollercoaster ride through addiction and theatre, and Ruby Slippers and Rainbows showcases the role of community theatre in recovery.
Film
The International Film Awards kicks off our weekend of film screenings and workshops at the CCA and Glasgow Film Theatre. Award-winning films include local work by Sean Lìonadh, Steven Fraser and Maria Viola Craig, see Made in Scotland, as well as Lithuanian feature documentary I’ll Stand By You focusing on rural suicide prevention. Other highlights include the Scottish premiere of Charm Circle, winner of the Audience Award at Sheffield DocFest, and the world premiere of Lessons in Temperament, adapted during lockdown from an award-winning theatrical memoir. Scottish feature Riptide is screening across the Highlands and producer Siobhan Fahey attends a special screening and workshop in Edinburgh to celebrate Rebel Dykes.
Music
Djana Gabrielle and Two Stoned Birds are among the musicians performing at SMHAF 2022, both appearing at our opening day Gathering. Join Paragon Music in Glasgow for an evening of music, dance and poetry, and the friendly Mad Jam community for live and online open mic nights. Gather Thigither for a showcase by Cumbernauld’s Fool On and enjoy local Sma’sh Hits from Renfrewshire’s music collective. Plus look out for a special musical performance at our annual Writing Awards.
Visual Arts
Take in collaborative exhibitions, including A Gathering of Story-Art in the Highlands and Re-Connect from Artlink Central. Go online to explore Renfrewshire’s annual exhibition Mindspace, featuring textiles and small-scale paintings, and pieces from Art in Healthcare’s collection in Make Room for Art. Solo displays include Assemble, a series of metal sculptures by SMHAF regular Jamie King.
Workshops
Get involved to develop your creativity and support your wellbeing. Come Gather the Gowans the Gither offers a wee hour of online sketching, while Writing for Wellbeing is a supportive six-week course in Ayrshire, and sign up early for Happilele Lessons for the chance to learn a new instrument. In Lanarkshire, there are workshops for everyone, with Get Together Adventure Day for young people, outdoor photography in On Your Doorstep and Creative Crafting.
Explore the full programme on the What’s On page, or download our interactive PDF brochure. You can also download an accessible, plain text brochure here.