The BEDLAM Arts and Mental Health Festival, which runs for twelve days, from Tuesday 1st-Saturday 12th October, aims to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing through the importance of the arts and coincides with World Mental Health Day on 10th October, which this year focuses on suicide prevention.

Organisers Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Midlands Arts Centre, Sampad South Asian Arts and new partner, Birmingham-based Geese Theatre Company, bring together an accessible, celebratory, and thought-provoking arts festival in consultation with practitioners and those people who have experienced mental ill health.

The festival will showcase new and creative works performed across the city including new commissions, a world premiere, works in progress, half-day Symposium, spoken word, dance, participation, theatre, film and visual art to Hip Hop!

Steve Ball Associate Director, Birmingham Repertory Theatre said “Studies have shown that the arts play a major role in our mental wellbeing, helping to overcome stigma, enriching lives, connecting communities and creating dialogue.
“We are therefore very proud to be able to present the fourthth BEDLAM festival which brings together some of the city’s major arts organisations to inspire, challenge, create awareness and promote greater understanding through our performances and events.”

As part of its aim to increase knowledge and reduce stigma, the festival includes events for artists and other professionals including Mirror Image, a Half Day Symposium for cultural practitioners to reflect on wellbeing (3rd October Midlands Arts Centre) and a symposium on Using the Arts in Suicide Prevention, in partnership with Dr Erin Turner, Consultant Psychiatrist for BSMHFT (10th October, Uffculme Centre).

Lakhvir Rellon, Head of Community Engagement, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust adds: “One in four people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. In England, one in six people reported experiencing symptoms associated with a common mental health problem (such as anxiety and depression) each week. BEDLAM Festival is a celebration of how the culture sector improves people’s health. It offers a whole range of arts events, open to all ages, and a platform for discussion in a safe environment.”