Back for its third year with an incredibly diverse array of events over three weeks at venues across the city. With mental health services taking a real hammering under the present government and the biting reality of austerity taking hold, the role of the arts in fostering opportunities and inclusivity is essential. Getting involved in the arts, both as audience or participant, can contribute to promoting positive mental health and well being. There is far too much going on to list everything here but make sure you don’t miss Matthew Johnstone’s dark comedy I Had A Black Dog His Name Was Depression at The Rep; Demi Nhandhra’s exhibition, in association with Fierce Festival, I’m Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired at Birmingham Conservatoire and Lemn Sissay’s one man play Some Thing Dark at the mac. By supporting the festival visitors can raise the profile of mental health issues, increase awareness and just maybe start the push back against pitiless cuts to services. A full list of events can be viewed here.

Sat 7 Oct to Sun 29 Oct at various venues and prices, several events are free.