Researchers from the Centre for Health Services Studies and the Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS), in collaboration with the Kent Mental Health NHS Trust (KMPT), are currently presenting their findings in an inspiring exhibition that explores the future of mental healthcare in Kent. The exhibition runs from Saturday 11th January to Sunday 23rd February at The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge in Canterbury. It showcases creative research conducted in partnership with local communities.
Professor Lisa Dikomitis, Principal Investigator of INTERACT stated: “The INTERACT team is grateful for the many positive reactions and feedback on our exhibition. It has been fantastic to read the comments visitors have left and the huge participation with our ‘Ask a psychiatrist a question’ activity. We are currently preparing the INTERACT book. Check our website to find out more or get in touch”.
The INTERACT team consists of anthropologists, psychiatrists, drama therapists, and media scholars who worked with diverse groups, including young people, new mothers, older adults, and members of ethnic minority communities, to understand their perspectives on mental health and their vision for future mental healthcare in Kent. Participants from these communities, whose voices are often overlooked in national discussions about health and social care, shared their lived experiences and expressed their hopes for improving mental health outcomes for everyone in Kent.
The INTERACT study aims to ensure that a wide range of viewpoints are communicated to all stakeholders involved in mental health care, including those receiving care and those providing it. The insights and dialogues gathered from creative workshops are presented at this exhibition.
A visitor remarked: “I have found this exhibition space calm, peaceful, socially connected and community orientated. The mental health topics it approaches can be in contrast, turbulent. I appreciate the opportunity to be in this space of openness and dialogue. I find it heartening to see silence and stigma around mental health being replaced by communication and understanding. It is a great contrast with my personal experiences, to see struggles and challenges transformed into contributions to advances in understanding, and positive changes.”
The exhibition has also been featured on BBC Kent Radio. You can listen to the full interview here.
INTERACT is one of ten studies supported by the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council. Learn more about INTERACT.