* Creative Lives Awards 2022 - Peer Award for Excellence Winner *

Find out more about this group in this short video, or read about them below:

Led by and with people with experience of mental ill health, this digital art gallery brought together over 50 artists and creative writers on social media to discuss the impact and stigmatisation of mental illness. For many, the experience of being part of a creative and kind community lessened feelings of loneliness and isolation, as well as developing artistic talent. 

After meeting online and sharing experiences, participants went on to hold their own exhibitions, hosted stalls at craft fairs, produced zines and had artwork and poetry published in magazines. 

Six months after starting, the project was runner-up in the Mental Health Blog Awards in July and has also been mentioned on Metro newspaper's Mentally Yours podcast, as well as in articles for mental health charity Sane and Bath Mind. Organisers are building a database of opportunities for mentally ill and marginalised and disabled artists and writers.

“While conversations around anxiety and depression have become more normalised, stigma remains toward people with psychotic disorders. The project aimed to challenge this stigma by giving insight into mental health conditions that are often overlooked and demonstrating that the people are far more than their diagnosis.” Jessica, Mental Inkness

[Pictured L to R: Sue Roberts, BBC; Rosemarie Foad, Mental Inkness; Rosalind Batty, Mental Inkness; Bobsie Robinson, Creative Lives)

Learn more:

• Website www.mentalinkness.wordpress.com 
• Twitter www.twitter.com/mentalinkness