World Mental Health Day 10 October

10 October is World Mental Health Day, an annual day of events and activities promoting awareness and tolerance of mental health issues. There are lots of events taking place locally at the weekend and throughout October - we've rounded some of them up here.

Bedlam and Beyond is a new touring exhibition about the history of mental health care and attitudes in Islington. The exhibition will be launched at a special event on Saturday at Finsbury Library (EC1V 4NB) from 11am to 4pm, with talks, face painting, massage, and a guided walk from 12 to 2pm. The exhibition will then tour the borough, coming to the N4 Library on Blackstock Road from 22 November 2010 to 4 December this year.

Studio LaDanza (N7 8LT) is hosting the Islington Borough User Group (iBUG) Unique Talent Show on Tuesday 26 October 2010.  The showcase is open to all - service users and non-service users alike, and will start with a speech from patron Jeremy Corbyn MP. The event will run from 1pm to 5pm.

TOandFOR will be running a public art workshop at the Nags Head Shopping Centre on 9 October, where anyone can produce a piece for the groups 'Tall Stories' exhibition of work by artists experiencing mental health problems. Supported by Camden and Islington NHF Trust, the workshop will take place from 10am to 4pm. Contact Hannah.blunded@candi.nhs.uk for more information.

Don't forget that physical wellbeing improves mental health - Time To Get Moving London at the N1 Centre on 10 October will provide plenty of opportunities to do just that, with music, dancing and community stalls from 11am to 5pm. There's also information and vouchers about lots of physical activity in the borough.

The Mental Health Foundation are also hoping to get even more people involved in this year's Tea and Talk. Order a pack, invite your friends and talk about simple steps to improve wellbeing. Maybe you can invite a guest speaker from a local organisation such as Islington Mind?

For more information about World Mental Health Day globally see this page. Are you organising an event we haven't listed above? Let us know!

Image: Mental Health Foundation