This year based on the theme of revolution, the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival is an annual event, covering all art forms in order to explore how the arts and creativity can help to prevent mental health problems and support people to live mentally healthier lives.

The life and legacy of artist Mary Barnes (1923-2001, whose work is pictured) will be celebrated at the University of Glasgow’s Advanced Research Centre (5th – 21st Oct), in her centenary year. Mary was resident at Scottish psychiatrist R D Laing’s therapeutic community, an experiment in ‘anti-psychiatry’. Her art demonstrates the potential of creativity to support recovery from mental illness.  

Additionally, the 11th edition of Out of Sight Out of Mind at Summerhall, Edinburgh, 10th – 29th Oct features paintings, sculptures and installations by over 200 people who have experience of mental health issues.