This World Mental Health Day, the region’s largest council is using the power of art to bring people together and improve their wellbeing.
Durham County Council has funded the Big Arts Project, a community scheme which invited organisations and artists to host a series of workshops and activities across the county from March to October.
Over 40 projects have been funded, aimed at all age groups, covering a range of disciplines from visual and performing arts to traditional crafts; sculpturing; digital art; dance; film; literature; music; gardening; and culinary arts.
Some sessions were designed to focus on priority groups where the potential for poor mental health is higher, such as drug and alcohol recovery service users, veterans, and those with perinatal mental health issues.
Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire asking them to agree or disagree with statements relating to their wellbeing at the beginning and end of each project to monitor how the activities made a difference to their mental health.
Cllr Chris Hood, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for adult and health services, said: “Talking about mental health can help us to cope better with life’s ups and downs. World Mental Health Awareness Day is about encouraging people to check in with friends, family, peers and colleagues and have conversations about how we are feeling.
“Getting involved in arts and culture can also have a powerful and lasting effect on our mental health, being linked to lower levels of mental distress and higher levels of life satisfaction.
“The Big Arts Project aims to use the power of arts and culture to bring people together and inspire creativity and collaboration while also encouraging conversations about mental health in a safe and positive environment.”
Among the projects was an art installation at Teesdale School and Sixth Form, called Camera Obscura.
The dark room installation saw 360-degree images projected within a pop-up space, encouraging pupils to discuss ideas of perspective, identity, and how people see the world differently.
This World Mental Health Day, Durham County Council is also promoting its Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Training Directory, which offers a range of training courses designed to raise awareness of mental health challenges, health concerns and financial worries. Many of the courses are free to access and are suitable for residents, workplaces, and frontline services.
More information about mental health support available in County Durham, as well as the training directory, can be found at www.durham.gov.uk/mentalhealth
