The 18th Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival reached estimated attendances of 17,500. Taking place from 10-27 October 2024, it featured over 240 events in 20 local authority areas across Scotland, exploring the theme of ‘In/Visible‘.
Read on to discover the highlights, and download our festival reports to find out more.
Highlights
In/Visible
Our ‘In/Visible’ theme invited people to reflect on what it means to be ‘visible’ or ‘invisible’ when
we think about our mental health. It resonated strongly with people with lived experience of mental health problems and inequalities, creating a platform for those who can be made to feel unseen and unheard in society.
Now You See Us
This year’s showcase was an impactful and inclusive two-day event, with new artist
commissions, creative workshops, vital discussions and more. Shows included performances by Simone Seales and Sanjay Lago, an installation by Ritu Arya, and a special evening curated by Counterpoint Arts.
Focus on Film
The International Film Awards and Focus on Film programme returned after a year’s absence. Opening with a ceremony hosted by Rasiah Ahmed, we showcased over 30 films by Scottish, UK and international filmmakers, including Duncan Cowles’ award-winning debut feature documentary Silent Men.
Artist Commissions
We commissioned six diverse artists to create new artworks inspired by our ‘In/Visible’ theme. Through music, film, sound art and sculpture, the projects each shed light on hidden stories rooted in lived experience and are available to view on our website.
Writing
The annual Writing Awards took place in the stunning setting of V&A Dundee, creating opportunities for local audiences, artists and organisations to engage with the festival. Shortlisted pieces were published in a special collection illustrated by Laura Darling.
Regional & Touring Programmes
Events took place all across Scotland – from Orkney to Dumfries, and Lewis to Edinburgh – spanning music, film, theatre, visual arts, storytelling, creative workshops and more. Highlights included a national tour of theatre show Men Don’t Talk, exhibitions Out of Sight Out of Mind, Keep Turning the Page and Our Power, and a new programme of local events supported through our regional programme support fund.
& Lucy Cameron at the Writing Awards © Ingrid Mur
Impact
Audiences
96% of respondents to our audience survey described their experience as Good or Very Good.
84% of respondents to our audience survey said that attending the festival Positively or Very Positively impacted their mental health.
SMHAF had a big impact on its audiences, who emphasised the quality and diversity of programming, its engaging post-screening discussions, and the opportunities it created to develop understanding about a range of issues relating to mental health. Audiences found that events encouraged empathy and self-reflection, as well as helping them to have open conversations about mental health.
“It was very empowering to be in a space where mental health is being spoken about openly. My biggest take from it was that it left me feeling that these are universal human issues and there’s real empowerment in that.”
We absolutely loved the festival! Thoughtful, careful programming, intimate talks and discussions, incredibly kind and caring staff, a varied selection of events and opportunities to network – I couldn’t fault it, it exceeded our expectations!”
It has prompted greater discussion around mental health and greater openness amongst my friends.
Extremely insightful to gain perspectives and knowledge on the mental health topics, as well as marginalised groups in society. I found these important to learn more about mental health and people’s personal journeys here in the UK, and in other parts of the world. Importantly, it felt relatable to personal experience and helped to identify that experience with friends of family.
I was always understanding and supportive of my flatmate but I feel I now better understand how I can do so and in what ways she might need more help. I feel like I better know my own limitations but positive that I can overcome them with a bit of focused work.
Artists
95% of respondents to our artist survey felt that their involvement with SMHAF Positively or Very Positively impacted their mental health.
95% of respondents to our artist survey felt that their involvement with SMHAF Positively or Very Positively impacted their creative work.
SMHAF is a unique platform for artists to create and share work about mental health, providing
a safe and welcoming environment to explore their own lived experience and the issues they care about through their work. The festival has a positive impact on artists’ mental health and creative work because it offers a safe and encouraging environment, recognises and celebrates work exploring mental health, and presents opportunities for artists to share their stories with audiences.
It was a bit of a paradise – a place where you and your feelings feel validated. My mental health hasn’t been good recently, I felt extremely anxious, so I had a hard time feeling empathy – the festival reminded me what it was.”
I had amazing time on stage and the audience were brilliant, I felt powerful and that my voice was heard, as if I had been accumulating so many expressions and emotions and finally got the chance to let them all out.”
The discussions during the Q&As were powerful, filled with thoughtful topics and genuine care. This is exactly what we need—a safe space to share and witness difficult subjects within our community.”
Partners
The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 2024 was led by the Mental Health Foundation, with support from national partners:
- Creative Scotland
- Thrive Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Health & Social Care Partnership
- University of Glasgow
- Baring Foundation
- Film Hub Scotland, part of the BFI’s Film Audience Network, and funded by Screen Scotland and National Lottery funding from the BFI.
- See Me
- NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
- Scottish Recovery Network
- Bipolar Edinburgh
- The List
Organisations that supported us by coordinating our regional networks included:
- CAPS Independent Advocacy
- Creativity in Care
- DG Creative Wellbeing and Outpost Arts
- Live Borders
- Mikey’s Line
- NHS Borders
- NHS Lanarkshire
- North Ayrshire Health & Social Care Partnership
- Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership
Thank you to all our partners and the hundreds of organisations, communities, and individuals who participated in the festival this year.
About the Festival
The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival aims to use the arts and creativity to explore how we can help to prevent mental health problems and support people to live mentally healthier lives.
For more information about the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival and how to get involved for
2025, please get in touch at smhaf@mentalhealth.org.uk.
Our innovative approach, combining high artistic quality with grassroots support, community engagement and social activism, has been replicated internationally.
