Love Arts Festival, Leeds

RUBY Wax, Phil Hammond and James Rhodes are scheduled to appear at events during the seven-week festival, running from 27 September - 16 November.

One in four of people will experience a mental health problem some time in their lives.

By using the power of art, organisers hope to explore issues of mental health, such as identity, stigma and social justice. The festival will include over 50 different exhibitions, theatre performances and workshops for people of all ages and backgrounds.  Many of the events will be free of charge and open to the general public.

Comedian and television presenter Ruby Wax will share her personal experiences of mental ill-health at the launch event on Tuesday.  

She said: “I’m delighted to be involved in the launch of this fantastic festival.  Mental health is something very close to my own heart. I, along with many others, have struggled with bouts of depression for years. It started when I was ten and it has come and gone in cycles since then. I look forward to sharing some of my personal experiences with the people of Leeds.”

Ruby Wax

The ‘Love Arts’ festival has been coordinated by Leeds-based mental health and learning disability healthcare provider, Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust. The festival will also support the nationwide Time to Change campaign, which aims to change negative attitudes surrounding mental health. 

One in four of people will experience a mental health problem some time in their lives. And those who do, are likely to face stigma and discrimination from others.  Depression affects one in five older people while one in ten children between the ages of five and sixteen have a mental health disorder. 

“The festival uses art as a way of getting people thinking and talking about mental health,” said Victoria Betton, Festival Director and Associate Director at Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust. 

“It is a fantastic achievement for an NHS Trust to organise a whole festival but we could not have made this happen without the support and enthusiasm from our partners.”

To find out more go to www.loveartsleeds.co.uk