Since 2006 Walsall has been holding an annual community event aimed to raise awareness to the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing as part of World Mental Health Day.

Events are commissioned by Walsall NHS Community Health to focus on:

• encouraging people to take a holistic approach to their health and wellbeing through looking after their mental and physical health
• encouraging people to take up enjoyable activities that make them feel good and perhaps try something they haven’t done before, or don’t normally make time for
• signposting to local services
• increasing community understanding and awareness of mental health issues
• challenging stigma, preconceptions and stereotypes around mental health

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For the past three years events have taken place at the New Art Gallery Walsall and have incorporated a wide range of drop in arts workshops which have run alongside personal health checks, health and support services information stands and displays, complementary therapies and laughter therapy workshops. Organised tours/talks around the gallery’s Garman Ryan collection have been held giving the opportunity to highlight the specific links the work has to mental health.

Arts workshops have also extended out onto Walsall Market where artists encourage local shoppers to create hangings with felt and incorporate a phrase about what makes them feel good.

In 2009 the event attracted in excess of 2000 people and it is anticipated this can be increased in following years as the festival has received continued funding for 2010.

Visitors view the event as both enjoyable and informative and it attracts people of all ages including families, young people and older people.

It involves a wide range of organisations who return each year. As well as resulting in new referrals from members of the public the festival also enables staff to network and keep informed about what is available. This assists with signposting relevant agencies to their service users.

Visitors to the festival in 2009 took part in a range of free activities, ranging from free health checks with a pharmacist, arts workshop sessions including kite-making, creating a smile workshop, self portrait photography and a range of ‘therapies’ including laughter workshops and back massage. There was also a chance to peddle your own smoothie on a special bicycle and a drop in puppet making session in the centre of Walsall Market.

 In addition to this there were wide-ranging stalls with information and the chance to talk to professionals for help and advice.

The festival also linked with Rethink who organised a walk through the town centre for the ‘Time to change campaign’ promoting a message to challenge the stigma that can be linked with mental health problems.

Key outcomes of the event:

• Organisations involved had the opportunity to engage with members of the public and this resulted in a number of referrals
• Created an environment for young people to take part in creative activities that related to wellbeing and self esteem.
• Showcased mental health services in an accessible way to encourage visitors to access information and advice
• Provided a range of enjoyable activities for people to take part in whilst at the same time thinking about their own health and wellbeing
• Attracted in excess of 2000 visitors during the day

“The main benefits to participants may well have come either through release of stress and emotion during the session, or through putting into practice some of the teaching into everyday life. The feedback as people left the room was very positive.”

“The main outcome is to have been able to spread the word about laughter, and how we can use it to help with health, happiness and management of stress. The workshops were well attended.”
Robin Graham, Laughter Consultant

“For our service this event was mainly about mental health promotion, specifically highlighting computerised cognitive behavioural therapy, books on prescription and our wellbeing packs that included a relaxation CD. As we were downstairs this year we had about 300% more interest than previous years and felt the day was very worthwhile.”
Primary Care Mental Health Team, NHS Walsall

‘Incorporating events run by Rethink for the Time to Change anti stigma campaign and Walsall LINk for World Mental Health Day brought activities into Park Street and people into the Art Gallery….
 I was aware of the very wide range of groups represented in the festival, and of the great interest taken by members of the public.Many of the stalls in the Rethink tent ran out of freebies within an hour of the event starting, such was the throughput of people.I think this event should definitely be programmed for next year, with a view to either running it over more days or in a bigger venue, or in other town centres in the Walsall borough..”
Roger Merrick of Walsall Service User Empowerment