World Mental Health Day

Each year World Mental Health Day aims to raise public awareness of mental health issues and this year is no different.

Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT) is taking part in events on and around the day, which officially takes places on Monday 10 October, to get people talking about mental health and well-being.

On Monday 10 October the Trust will be hosting an event between 10.30-12.30pm at the Becklin Centre in the Foodworks Café as part of the ‘This is me’ campaign which encourages people with mental health experiences to come forward, talk openly and share their stories.

Also on Monday 10 October from 6.30pm in the Foodworks Café the Trust is hosting an open mic night. Everyone is welcome to pop along and take the mic and sing, play music, read poetry, share their journey – whatever anyone would like to share with the audience.

Throughout October, The Love Arts Festival organised by the Arts and Minds Network, part of LYPFT, will bring together people in Leeds who believe the arts can promote mental well-being.

The festival is set to take over Leeds city centre from 5 – 20 October, is an eclectic mix of events, exhibitions, workshops and performances that will get people thinking and talking about mental health. Love Arts Leeds is an annual celebration of creativity and mental well-being which showcases the work of local artists and performers who all have a personal interest in mental health issues.

Celebrating its 6th anniversary this year, the Festival is launching a stunning arts trail taking place across a variety of the city’s most inspiring and unusual venues. The trail will showcase the wealth of undiscovered talent which exists in the Arts and Minds Network and other Leeds communities. More information about Love Arts Leeds, including the festival programme, is available at www.loveartsleeds.co.uk.

And as part of the ‘This is Me’ campaign in the coming weeks we will be sharing more stories from our brave service users.

If you are interested in being involved, sharing stories or holding events in your local service/area, please contact the membership team ftmembership.lypft@nhs.net or phone 0113 85 55900.

If you would like to join in and share your story on Twitter or Facebook use the hashtag #ThisIsMe