The second International Conference on Culture & Mental Health, held in Ghent from 27 to 29 November 2024 at the Dr. Guislain Museum (pictured), brought together a range of artists, researchers, mental health practitioners and others to share learning and exchange ideas around the arts, mental health and displacement . Counterpoints was part of the programming committee, as part of our ongoing work on this subject .
The Conference demonstrated the diversity of creative practice in this area, from providing access to books for newly arrived children in their first language, to dance-based therapy and long-term film-making projects.
We were able to provide some support towards the costs for two artists from our network, Gil Mualem-Doron and Thahmina Begum, to attend and present work. Another project showcased was Voice Notes, on which Counterpoints is a partner, oice an international creative writing and sound arts project led by Sarah Jackson with Leah Gayer for Compass Collective and Hardi Kurda.
A summary of the conference along with a selection of the keynote presentations and workshops is available on the website of one of the main partners, ledereen Leest.
