TUESDAY 12th MAY 2026
In Our Own Words
12th May 2026, 12:00pm - 14:00pm
2 Royal Avenue, Belfast, BT1 1DA
Beyond Personality Differences Northern Ireland (BPD-NI) is a registered charity set up to address the stigma of a specific mental health diagnosis, that of personality disorder, especially borderline personality disorder (known as BPD or EUPD). The members are mainly people with lived experience, and two are professionals who work in a treatment service with people with the diagnostic label. The members of BPD-NI participated in a partnership project with Prime Cut Productions in 2024/25, which was called In My Own Words – Who We Are, along with several other community groups, and all the writing was published in a book.
At the events there will be 4 prose pieces read aloud by their authors, who are members of the charity and poetry pieces by 2 others. One of the poetry readings will be by published poet Courtney Mulholland.
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: Venue entrance is on flat, even ground. There is an accessible toilet on site and assistance dogs are welcomed. The venue has a sensory dome for those with sensory needs or who need a quiet place.
TICKETS: Pay what you can
Why AM I
12th May 2026, 10.00am - 11.30am
Studio 2 Youth & Community Arts Centre
Units 2-3 Foyle Business Park, 4 Beraghmore Road, Derry-Londonderry BT48 8SE
Having viewed the two stanzas of the monologue, Why am I, the audience will be invited to make points about how they felt about the stanza context. This exploratory process is like doing attitudinal research into the phenomenon of mental illness. The interactive participation of the audience is immediate and the live performance by the author will hopefully provoke new thought patterns which in other set ups might have been ‘considered’.
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: Step-free entrance with accessible toilets and lift access. Induction loop system is available for those who use hearing aids.
TICKETS: Free
MHANI Poetry Corner
12th May 2026, 13.00pm - 16.00pm
The Black Box, 18-22 Hill St, Belfast BT1 2LA
Join us for an afternoon of poetry on mental health and belonging. List of participating poets available on website soon.
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: The Black Box has step-free access throughout the whole building from the street and has fitted accessible push button automatic doors. There is two accessible toilets.
TICKETS: Pay what you can
A celebration of creativity, courage, and community - Creative writing for autistic adults
12th May 2026, 14.00pm - 16.00pm
Flowerfield Arts Centre, 185 Coleraine Rd, Portstewart BT55 7PL
This event will be an introduction and overview of the development and roll out of a number of creative writing classes for autistic adults in the NHSCT area, highlighting the hugely positive impact that these classes have had on the attendees, in supporting regulation and emotional wellbeing, as well as being a vehicle for peer support and belonging for the group. The event will include a number of readings from some of the autistic adults originating from a co-designed publication, demonstrating that these classes have been a means to exploring the power of words as a form of self-expression, connection, and discovery. Their voices remind us that creativity is not just about storytelling, but about empowerment — the freedom to be heard and to see everyone’s experiences valued.
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: Induction loop in the auditorium, Conference room and the Box Office/reception area. Guide dog, Hearing dogs and Registered Assistance Dogs are welcome to the venue, including the auditorium. Wheelchair access is available throughout the building and the auditorium for wheelchair seats/transfers. A lift is available from the ground floor to the first floor.
TICKETS: Free
MHANI: Silent Bookclub
12th May 2026, 19.00pm - 20.30pm
The Library Bar (Middle floor), The Watson Bar, 2-14 Little Donegall St, Belfast BT1 2JD
Lit to the Tit invites you to a special Silent Bookclub in support of Mental Health Arts NI Festival, centred around the theme of belonging.
This is a gentle, welcoming space to read together in quiet company. Bring whatever you are currently reading, writing or working on and settle in beside fellow book lovers for an hour of shared silence. There is no assigned book and no pressure to perform. Just you, your words, and a room full of people choosing to slow down together.
Belonging does not always have to be loud. Sometimes it looks like sitting shoulder to shoulder, turning pages, and knowing you are part of something simply by being there.
All proceeds from this event will support MHANI and its work connecting art and mental health across Northern Ireland. Come as you are. Everyone is welcome.
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: There is no lift available in the building.
TICKETS: Donations
Festival Sounds: T4T B2B
12th May 2026, 19.00pm - 21.00pm
Catalyst Arts, 6 Joy's Entry, Belfast BT1 4DR
Festival Sounds is an intimate party designed to explore the connection between mind and movement hosted by T4T B2B.
This is an evening for dancers to focus on the music and move freely without expectation or judgment. To find a sense of belonging on the dance floor.
T4T B2B are two local DJs who have created their own space to belong, this is a night for those yearning for community, creative expression and queer euphoria through our shared love of music.
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: This is a level space. There will be loud noises and flashing lights.
TICKETS: Pay what you can
Creative STEPS Wellbeing Performance
12th May 2026, 19.00pm - 21.00pm
Glasgowbury, Cornstore Creative Hub, 20a High Street, Draperstown
BT45 7AA
As part of the current Creative STEPS partnership project with STEPS,
Glasgowbury and the Ulster Orchestra, a wellbeing performance has
been programmed and scheduled during the NI Mental Health Arts
Festival week.
This will highlight our local efforts and those of Mental Health Arts NI to
encourage people to try something creative, to utilise the arts, to realise
the “power of creativity, self expression and the arts on wellbeing”.
This special performance will take place in Glasgowbury’s Corn Store
Creative Hub in Draperstown, rural mid Ulster. Glasgowbury is an award
winning charity that nurtures talent, changes lives and strengthens
communities through music, arts and multi media.
STEPS is a Draperstown based charity promoting community driven
supportive approaches to raise awareness and reduce stigma
surrounding Suicide and Mental Health.
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION: Venue is accessible. Contact Glasgowbury directly about accessible parking.
TICKETS: Free, donations welcome