King's College London

The interactive evening, co-produced by researchers, students and lived experience experts, explored themes of mental health, diagnosis, stigma and spirituality.

Attendees gained insight into mental health experiences through a creative showcase of visual artwork, poetry and spoken word performances developed by lived experience experts and Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) colleagues drawing on their own mental health and wellbeing.

Through collaboration with postgraduate students and researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), the team curated many of the creative works into three co-produced zines – small booklets containing poetry, artwork and personal reflections which were edited and compiled by MSc students as part of their dissertations. View the zines at the links below:

• Creativity Unleased
• Peace to the Soul and Mind
• Unlabelled and Unshackled

[Please note that material from the zines is not to be copied, shared, or reproduced without the contributors’ permission. Contact maudsley.brc@kcl.ac.uk with any enquiries, or for accessible versions.]

This journey began with the “Breaking the Mould: A showcase of connection through creativity” event held at the IoPPN in 2024, building on PPI work from the AVATAR2 and SloMo research teams, and the the Early Intervention in Psychosis MSc at the IoPPN, which runs a unique module delivered by lived experience experts.

The project was led by Dr Udita Iyengar, Lecturer, who introduces the event in the short video below. It was supported by Dr Clementine Edwards, Research Clinical Psychologist and Dr Thomas Ward, Clinical Psychologist Lecturer. 

Interactive activities included a “Make Your Own Zine” table, where attendees created their own material in response to the discussions, and a “People Library” where guests could engage in one-to-one conversations with the creators.

Attendees contributed to a reflections table, where they could add their own responses to the themes and creative works displayed at the event.

Professor Grainne McAlonan, Director of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), introduced the event, and said:

“This event was a powerful example of the impact that lived experience can have in shaping public understanding of mental health. By creating space for honest expression through art, poetry, and conversation, we challenged stigma and fostered a deeper appreciation of the complexities of mental health journeys. I’m incredibly proud of the collaboration between our lived experience experts and researchers, staff and students and thank all those who attended and engaged with the art and activities.”

Dr Udita Iyengar, Dr Clementine Edwards and Dr Thomas Ward said:

“It was a brilliant evening, with powerful verbal and visual artwork on display, discussions and connections between attendees and lived experience artists, and a full room from 6pm until the end of the evening. We really felt the impact of the event on the night, and we’re looking forward to seeing what comes from it, watch this space!”

Poetry excerpts and artwork gallery

 “Voices of Experience: Breaking Mental Health Stigma” was hosted by the Psychosis and Mood Disorders theme and the Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) programme at the NIHR Maudsley BRC, in collaboration with the IoPPN.