Liverpool Mental Health Festival Kicks off 1st October With A Fortnight of Events

Liverpool is marking World Mental Health Day on 10^th October with a 2-week Festival.

In the wake of substantial cuts to the funding of 3^rd sector organisations providing essential services to people experiencing mental distress, talking about our mental health is more important than ever. Liverpool Mental Health Consortium, the organisers of Liverpool Mental Health Festival 2017, have been working hard, along with their partners, to put together a programme packed with creative, engaging and, most importantly, FREE activities to boost our mental health.

The Festival programme is bigger, better and more inclusive than ever before, including comedy, live music, film, art, drama, poetry, flow arts, fire and drumming. From 1^st – 14^th October, Liverpool Mental Health Consortium invite everyone from Liverpool, and further afield, to join in the free events and activities. Pick up a Festival programme booklet, available in cafés and event spaces across the city, or download the programme https://issuu.com/liverpoolmentalhealthconsortium/docs/lmhfbrochure2017_issuu

Proven Festival favourites, such as Workshop Wednesday, will again take place; including Liverpool Mental Health Festival Art Exhibition, which opens at the Brink on 1^st October and will be on display until 8^th January 2018. The all-day public celebration on Williamson Square is being held on Saturday 7^th October: expect some of the finest local bands, dance and performance, information, advice, and plenty of activities to participate in, drumming with Drums 4 Health from 10am – 11am.

However, new additions to the programme abound: The inaugural Lunatic Fringe Poetry Slam will be held at the Brink on 12^th October – sign up on the day to take part! The Brink will also host ‘Drama in Development’ on 5^th October, a night featuring readings from the works of three local writers who will be on hand for a Q/A. With exciting contributions from partner organisations Unity Theatre and We Make Places, it will be difficult to choose from the sheer variety of events happening throughout the fortnight.

And, for the first time, the programme is brought to an end, on 14^th October, with a fitting Festival Finale! In partnership with Blackburne House, Bring the Fire Project, and Katumba, organisers will bring you an experience you won’t forget! Preceded by free flow art workshops (just turn up), a performance combining light, drumming and fire will stimulate all your senses. Join us for this free event which welcomes all ages. Food and drink from the award-winning Blackburne House Café will be available.