NIMHAF 2025
CATHARTSIS
9th - 19th May
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This year, the NI Mental Health Arts Festival will run from 9th - 19th May, with a range of events for all ages, from talks, discussions, workshops, performances, interactive events and, the opening and closing symposia. We're super excited about this years programme, and cannot wait to share the diverse and varied programme of this year's festival.
We're working on updating our full programme - please refer to the at a glance programme above, or get in touch with us if you have any further questions!
09/05/25, 09:30
The Northern Ireland Mental Health Arts Festival 2025 Opening Symposium
Full symposium schedule TBA
10/05/25, 10:00
Belfast Gallery Tours
Join us for a morning exploration through a selection of Belfast’s galleries, with mindful drawings sessions, a talk from artist Molly Martin, with teas and coffees.
10/05/25, 11:00
Verdigris - Belfast Premier – Film and Q&A
@ Queen's Film Theatre
11/05/25, 12:00
Zine Making Workshop with Helen Gomez
Join artist and zine maker Helen Gomez at Paperxclips Books to delve into the world on zine making.
13/05/25, 10:00
Art Route Collective
Art Route Collective works with refugee and asylum seekers with the aim of improving emotional health and social wellbeing.
13/05/25, 17:30
Experimental Drawing Sessions for NI Mental Health Arts Festival 2025
Sociable aerobics inspired art workout, using large pieces of paper, strings, charcoal and sticks.
14/05/25, 17:00
A Cold Eye, Notes From a Shared Island 1989 – 2024 – Carlo Gébler
Carlo Gébler reads from his new book, A Cold Eye, Notes From a Shared Island 1989 – 2024. Followed by a discussion with Noelle Mc Alinden.
15/05/25, 09:00
Ecologies of Care: CHOICE Mobilising Health Assets within the Arts
This symposium seeks to explore how the arts could be more engaged in addressing the health disparities of this population.
16/05/25, 11:00
Poetry Corner
Spend your lunch break with us and listen to the wonderful words from a range of poets. Celebrating the creative talents of published & emerging poets from across the Island of Ireland. Poetry can pierce the heart & the soul & provide sanctuary for the mind.
09/05/25, 16:00
Gigs from Home: Lauren Martin
Lauren Martin debuts her new single, in a special online performance for NIMHAF.
10/05/25, 10:00
Artist Market – Queer Belfast x NIMHAF
Celebrate this showcase of talented artist by joining us for a Sunday market in partnership with Queer Belfast. Drop-in workshop included, hosted by Jonah Williams.
10/05/25, 11:00
Creating on iPad with Justine Scoltock and Kippie CIC
Kippie CIC will be helping artist & arts educationalist Justine Scoltock show how to rework, sketch and plan out traditional art using Layers and collage on the iPad.
12/05/25, 17:00
Psychotic Cinema – An exploration of Psychosis in Film
Dr Adam Flynn presents contrasting footage, aiming to lead a discussion around solipsism and the human aspect of mental health.
13/05/25, 10:00
Adaptations
Brain Injury Matters’ Creative Writers invite you to hear their modern adaptations of classic tales and rhymes, updated with their unique flair and humour.
13/05/25, 18:00
Black Moon
Black Moon is a monthly, disabled led club night at the Black Box.
15/05/25, 09:00
Group Improv Drawing
Join Art is collective, a weekly multi-ability group of artists that meet in 2 Royal Avenue, to work on a large-scale improv drawing. Loosen up your creativity and see where it goes. Materials provided or bring your own.
15/05/25, 13:00
Holding Space
A networking event that connects local practitioners, communities and initiatives with an interest in mental health, displacement and the arts.
16/05/25, 11:00
BBDB Live Art Performance Meeting
Join BBDB who hold weekly live art performance meetings every Friday from 12 noon until 1pm on Society Street, Derry. These performance meetings are followed by lunch and a chat (optional). BBDB is run by James King and is connected to Bbeyond www.bbeyond.live
09/05/25, 18:30
TENx9
Tenx9 is a storytelling event where nine people have up to ten minutes each to tell a true story from their own life.
10/05/25, 10:00
Mindful Drawing
Mindful Drawing is a way to relax your mind and to express yourself through colour, lines, and pattern.
10/05/25, 12:00
Mindful Silk Painting
A free mindful silk painting workshop with local artist, Deborah Malcomson.
12/05/25, 19:00
Marching Minds: Bands, Beats and Wellbeing
Glenn Miller presents Marching Minds, a special live edition of the Made to Parade podcast, recorded in front of an audience as part of the Mental Health Arts Festival.
13/05/25, 13:00
Ritual Revival with Dr. Katrina Sheena Smyth
An afternoon gathering and ritual experience to revive participants and nurture our creativity.
14/05/25, 13:30
Mind the Line
Children aged 8 to 80 years are welcome to join artist Damien Coyle in producing a community painting.
15/05/25, 09:00
Get Pumped!
‘Get Pumped’ is an interactive performance piece that promotes physical activity, confidence building and group-play in a fun, entertaining and supportive setting.
15/05/25, 17:30
Open Decks - 1st Anniversary
Celebrate the Open Decks first birthday, a monthly event were early career and aspiring DJ’s can take to the decks and perform, a night of electronic music, dancing, and fun. Free Admission.