Last year we introduced ThriveFest on World Mental Health Day (WMH Day) to highlight the key role that arts have to our sense of self, identity , purpose and wellbeing. The importance of holding the ThriveFest on WMH Day is to maximise the opportunities that are created by this global focus.
This year’s theme for is is ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’. This theme was chosen by a global vote including World Federation of Mental Health members, stakeholders and supporters because the world is increasingly polarized, with the very wealthy becoming wealthier, and the number of people living in poverty still far too high. The COVID 19 pandemic has further highlighted the effects of inequality on health outcomes and no nation, however rich, has been fully prepared for this. The pandemic has and will continue to affect people, of all ages, in many ways: through infection and illness, sometimes resulting in death bringing bereavement to surviving family members; through the economic impact, with job losses and continued job insecurity; and with the physical distancing that can lead to social isolation.
The 2021 World Mental Health Day campaign provides an opportunity for us to come together and act together to highlight how inequality can be addressed to ensure people are able to enjoy good mental health. For our second Thrive Fest we want to bring people together in outdoor spaces (adhering to social distancing regulations) and digital spaces across the city to talk, create, enjoy, provoke, celebrate and think.
We were delighted and as always so impressed and inspired with the creativity and imagination. We hope you can join in on the event happenings between 6 and 12 October 2021 “
