Art Exhibition Celebrating World Mental Health Day Opens in Hull

A unique art exhibition featuring works created by the public, alongside patients and staff from the mental health units of Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, has officially opened at Humber Street Gallery in Hull. This three-day event, launched in celebration of how art and creativity can support mental health, highlights the transformative power of art therapy in aiding service users on their journey to recovery.

The exhibition was opened on Thursday 10 October - World Mental Health Day - by the Trust’s Chief Executive, Michele Moran. It will remain open to the public until Saturday 12 October.

During the opening ceremony, Michele Moran spoke to attendees, emphasising the ongoing significance of art: "We were blown away by the response to request for contributions and you can see for yourself the thought, passion, and time that went into the submissions we received. Each piece tells a story of healing, connection, and self-expression, which reminds us how art can be a powerful tool for mental well-being. Art is not just for galleries; it’s for all of us. Whether it's painting, drawing, writing, or music, we can all use creativity as a means of coping with stress and enhancing our mental health.”

On the first day, the exhibition welcomed a diverse group of visitors, including service users who came to view their own artwork displayed alongside submissions from the public, invited to participate by the Trust.

James Wear, Lead Art Therapist at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, explained the essential role of creativity in mental health recovery: "As Arts and Creative Therapists working in the areas of Mental Health, we value the creative process and its benefits to support people to explore and express difficult thoughts and feelings when words are hard to find. Our growing evidence base recognises the value creative activity has in people’s recovery."

He added, “Being creative is a necessity for all human beings, whatever their age. It does not matter what your means of creative activity might be; it is its value to your sense of wellbeing and enjoyment that counts most. Creative activity goes beyond traditional art forms like painting and craft—it includes performance, singing, dance, and even gardening, cooking, or decorating your home. The act of making time for yourself or engaging with others in creative pursuits can have profound benefits for both your physical and mental health.”

The exhibition ran until Saturday 12 October, at Humber Street Gallery. The online gallery is available to view all the artwork submitted here.