OPEN MIND FEST: YOUTH FESTIVAL

A youth-curated strand of SMHAF based in Paisley. The festival explores youth mental health through everything from music, film and art, to theatre, poetry, and journalism.

All events and workshops are open to young people aged up to 25.

Full Programme

Open Mind Fest: Live Stage   

A jam-packed programme of performances, workshops and panels, all showcasing the relationship between music, the arts and mental health. Hosted by Erskine Music and Media Studio.

Follow Your Feet: Wellbeing Walk   

Join members of the Youth Commission for a walk around Paisley.  Learn about Paisley's history and take time to focus on your positive mental health and wellbeing. Participants will be encouraged to leave positive messages for others to find and share on social media using the #FollowYourFeet.

10 Recommendations On Mental Health

The Youth Commission will speak about the recommendations they would like organisations to adopt when working with young people who experience poor mental health.

Journalism & Mental Health

An important workshop exploring how mental health is portrayed in the media, how this affects young people, and what we can do to improve this.

Poetry Workshop

A workshop with poet and journalist Robert Blair exploring poetry as a cathartic way to broach mental health issues.

Autism, Mental Health & Creativity

Anxiety and depression affect up to 40% of the autism population. This workshop will explore how, with the correct support, people with autism can make a huge contribution to society.

Avalanche

In a world where we are more connected than ever, are we really connected at all? This brand-new devised performance from PACE Young Rep Company will examine what is to blame for the alarming mental health crisis facing young people.

Film Competition

Screenings of the shortlisted films of the Open Mind Arts Competition.

Awards Ceremony & Celebration

An awards ceremony and celebration of the work produced as part of Open Mind. The ceremony will be hosted by Create Paisley's youth panel Young Creators who have co-designed this year’s festival.