ART exhibitions, talks over tea and belly dancing are part of a host of events designed to raise awareness of mental health issues.

Belly dancing in Malvern and a football competition in Worcester are part of a wide programme of events designed to increase the public’s knowledge of mental health problems throughout October, starting on World Mental Health Day on Sunday. Almost all the events, which run until Sunday, November 1, will be open to the public, including open days at The Fold in Bransford, Orchard Place in Redditch and 10 Sansome Place in Worcester and ‘tea and talk’ events across the county.

Link Nursery in Powick will hold a ‘chowder and chat’ and Evesham carers a ‘chat and chill’ while Worcestershire Mental Health Network will host a production of High Rise by the Cuckoos Nest theatre company. There will also be a day of workshops and talks at Inkberrow. The CrownGate Shopping Centre in Worcester will host an information stall and a new mental health resource list is to be launched by the Worcestershire Mental Health Link Network with the Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.

In addition to events organised by Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust staff, events are also being organised by members of the trust’s service user and carer advisory group and community forum.

Service users and carers have also arranged events with MIND, Rethink, The Samaritans, West Midlands Care Farms, Creative Support, Worcester Mental Health Network, Worcestershire Mental Health Link Network, University of Worcester, Worcester College of Technology, Worcestershire Local Involvement Network and NHS Worcestershire.

Dr Ros Keeton, chief executive of Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust said: “It is great to see so many events this year that will highlight mental health and wellbeing. I am pleased that along with our own staff, so many other organisations have arranged events.” Anyone interested in attending an event can contact PALS at Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust on 01905 681517 for information.