The Innovative Role of Arts & Mental Health in Rural Locations

As Shetland, Orkney, Borders and Dumfries host their regional Healing Arts Scotland (15th – 19th June) events this week Arts Culture Health and Wellbeing Scotland (ACHWS) have arranged on online conversation highlighting some of the innovative arts and cultural mental health practice taking place across Scotland to tie in with the launch of the Arts and Mental Health Strategic Framework for Scotland and the Scottish Mental Health Participatory Arts Programme. Book your place now With the unique cultural context of rural communities coming with some challenges for people experiencing or affected by mental in remote areas of Scotland, we are taking a look at how cultural, health, natural and community assets, when they come together, can improve mental and physical health outcomes in these communities. How can communities come together to address mental health inequalities in rural and coastal areas? How can health systems collaborate to more effectively engage with their communities through cultural intervention? And what role does arts and culture play in achieving better outcomes? Our panel including Creative Scotland, Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, Shetland Arts and other rural arts and health organisations, take a look at some innovative examples of how communities across rural Scotland are using participatory arts practice to improve mental health and discuss how, through access to culture, we can address the challenges faced by rural communities in accessing mental health support and cultural services. Hosted by Catherine Middleton Findlay, Freelance Arts and Health Coordinator at Creative Scotland who is facilitating the Arts and Mental Health Strategic Framework for Scotland, which is looking for health and arts professionals and those with lived experiences to collaborate, create and actively shape an arts and mental health framework for Scotland over the coming year.