UCLan has been selected by the government to deliver a brand new mental health programme to the university’s LGBTQ+ community. This will be delivered by UCLan’s Creative Innovation Zone, to deliver the Creative Mental Health Framework. This framework aims to reduce mental health stigma and has newly received funding.
As one of 18 such projects nationwide, creativity will be used by the students themselves to raise awareness around mental health issues and help to reduce barriers and tackle stigma.
Speaking on the matter, Emma Speed, Director of UCLan’s Creative Innovation Zone, said:
“Creativity is at the heart of this peer-to-peer, interdisciplinary offer, with student experience content breaking down engagement barriers.We will work closely with mental health academics, students and researchers to apply creativity to bring diverse students together in a mutual goal to reduce barriers to better mental health.”
As part of this a number of creative programmes will be on offer to support mental health through performance, art, media production and podcasts. This aims to help students support each other, practise self-care and understand mental health triggers, while develoing an understanding of LGBTQ+ and mental health issues.
One project will involve students producing a TV talk show programme, similar to The One Show, which will air on Showcase TV. The students involved will be from diverse groups and disciplines in addition to the LGBTQ+ community.
Tate Liverpool will also deliver arts in health practice training to 30 academics and students. An additional 30 students and academics will be trained by Growing Resilience to become mental health champions.
Speaking on the matter, Alison Jones, Community Programme Manager at Tate Liverpool, said:
“Encouraging young people to develop and use their creative skills is a key tool in positively impacting wellbeing. We hope the project can make a significant difference in the lives of many young people.”
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