9th October 2009

Lord Mayor of Belfast Visits MindWise Service

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Naomi Long, visited the Annsgate Community Resource Centre of the local mental health charity on Friday 2nd October 2009, MindWise to officially open an photographic exhibition entitled ‘A Closer Look’.

The exhibition features a series of photographic images taken by MindWise service users which take a ‘closer look’ at some familiar scenes and landmarks from around Belfast City Centre. The exhibition has been launched to coincide with World Mental Health Day which is on 10th October 2009, with the dual aim of showcasing the artistic talents of individuals affected by mental illness whilst encouraging people to take a closer look at the issue of mental illness, which will affect 1 in 4 people at any one time.

Speaking at the event, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Naomi Long, said she was delighted to officially open the exhibition.

"I know that there are many local people who are affected by mental illness and the work that charities such as MindWise do - both to directly support those people and also to raise awareness of the issue - is of great benefit to the wider community," she said.
"Mental illness is not something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about, and we should all work towards removing any stigma that persists. It is important that those experiencing symptoms are supported and encouraged to come forward and seek support. Alongside this, we must create a tolerant and caring society here in Northern Ireland where individuals who have been affected will feel confident and able to regain their rightful place in our communities as they recover".
Karen Crothers, Team Leader of the Annsgate Centre, was keen to thank the Lord Mayor not only for taking time to visit the centre and open the exhibition but also for lending her support and profile as Belfast’s first citizen to help raise awareness of this important but often overlooked social issue. She said “The Lord Mayor’s visit today means a great deal to us all here in the centre, it has been a wonderful endorsement for our artists who contributed to the exhibition and to all those that use the centre here in Ann Street”.
“The photographers through their work wanted to encourage people to look more closely at sites in Belfast they often pass by and merely glance at without giving any real thought to. It can often be the same in terms of public reactions to people affected by mental illness. How often will people walk pass someone in the street who seems to be displaying the symptoms of a mental illness without giving it any particular thought. We hope that seeing this exhibition will encourage people to stop, take a closer look and take a moment to reflect on how mental illness does affect the lives of others and possibly at some point in their lives of any of us”.

MindWise hope to tour the ‘A Closer Look’ exhibition to other community venues around Belfast over the coming months to allow more people to see the work. Anyone wishing to view the pieces at the MindWise Community Resource Centre in Ann Street, Belfast, should telephone the centre on 028 9024 8006 to arrange an appointment to do so. The centre would also welcome enquiries from organisations in the Greater Belfast area who could provide a space to exhibit the collection to the public.

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