Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival begins

As part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 2026, we are delighted to announce that the North Ayrshire Mental Health Arts Festival programme is live and open for bookings.

Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival is one of the world's largest mental health arts events, bringing together artists, communities, and organisations across Scotland to explore mental health through creativity and culture.

This marks our 4th year of delivering a local festival programme in North Ayrshire, and we are pleased to see the festival continue to grow, with more events and wider community involvement each year.

The 2026 festival theme, ‘Reflections,’ invites us to pause, take stock, and consider how our experiences, stories, and relationships shape our mental health, both individually and collectively.

With more than 180 events taking place across Scotland, including 24 public events across North Ayrshire, there is something for everyone. The programme includes film, theatre, music, visual arts, creative writing, exhibitions, and interactive workshops, all designed to encourage conversations about mental health and wellbeing.

We would encourage colleagues, partners, and community members to come along, get involved, and celebrate the power of arts and creativity in supporting positive mental health.

You can view the national festival programme and book tickets online. You can also explore the North Ayrshire programme and read our blogs on the North Ayrshire Mental Health Arts Festival website, or keep up to date by visiting the North Ayrshire Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival page on Facebook.

Published September 22, 2026