Try the Japanese Art of breaking pottery and rebuilding it for mental health at our upcoming World Mental Health Day event

Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust runs the innovative Recovery & Wellbeing College which provides a free, holistic approach to supporting positive mental health. The College offers a wide range of activities and courses for local people to take part in and improve their physical wellbeing and mental health.

As part of World Mental Health Day this year, the Recovery and Wellbeing College are bringing one of their most popular courses to a free public event at Princes Quay Shopping Centre in Hull. Kintsugi sessions will be held at Creative Connections Art Exhibition on 10 October to highlight the power of creativity in creating positive mental health.

Kintsugi is the Japanese art and philosophy of repairing broken ceramics by mending the breakage with lacquer mixed with powdered gold or silver, a technique that literally means "joining with gold". Rather than hiding the cracks, kintsugi highlights them, celebrating the history of the object and embracing its imperfections, flaws and unique story. The connection to a person’s view of their own story is highlighted throughout the process by Recovery College Practitioners.

Alongside this interactive session, visitors to the event can also engage with mindful colouring and view a range of art produced by patients from Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust’s inpatient units, and members of the public who are encouraged to submit their own artwork for the exhibition.

Sarah who recently attended one of the sessions with Acho, the Humber Recovery and Wellbeing College Practitioner, has shared how powerful the experience was and how it brought the concept of using creativity as a tool for mental health to life.

She said, “When first I joined Acho’s class I was asked whether I was attending for therapeutic reasons or for crafting purposes, I replied that it was for crafting. However, as we went through the process I could see exactly how rebuilding my ceramic bowl could be linked to my emotions. There is something profoundly beautiful about piecing something back together and learning to celebrate every unique flaw. I would urge anyone to try Kintsugi.”

The World Mental Health Day event which showcases Kintsugi, alongside a range of mental health-inspired artwork is being held on Friday 10 October on the ground floor of Princes Quay Shopping Centre in Hull between 11am and 3pm. The exhibition and workshops are free to join and view.