From 9th-20th May, the Northern Ireland Mental Health Arts Festival returns for its 11th year with a vital and timely theme: Catharsis. Defined as the release of emotions through creative expression, catharsis lies at the heart of the festival’s mission: to create space for connection, understanding and healing through the arts.

Nowhere is this more vividly felt than in this year’s musical offerings, which run throughout the programme like a pulse. From experimental performance to grassroots expression, music at NIMHAF 2025 doesn’t just entertain. It opens a door, makes room and speaks directly to the lived experience of mental health.

Among the standout moments is Marching Minds: Bands, Beats and Wellbeing (12 May, NI Alternatives), which explores the relationship between rhythm, regulation, and community. On 15 May, OpenDecks – One Year Birthday promises a celebratory evening of shared sound and creative freedom, inviting both seasoned and first-time DJs to take to the decks at the Black Box. The result is a collaborative, low-pressure space where joy, release and connection take centre stage.

Also at the Black Box, Black Moon (13 May) and Black Box Open Mic (14 May) offer dynamic opportunities for performance and participation in a safe, welcoming environment. These events have become cornerstones of the festival, amplifying voices often unheard and unfiltered.

Digital and hybrid events continue to play a key role, with Gigs from Home: Lauren Martin launching on 9 May via nimhaf.org, ensuring access for those unable to attend in person. That same evening, Tenx9, MINDS brings its distinctive brand of live storytelling to The Rainbow Factory, shining a spotlight on personal narratives around mental health.

Finally, NIMHAF presents: ORTHA (18 May, Oh Yeah Centre) will showcase one of the most arresting musical experiences of the programme. Known for their immersive sonic rituals, ORTHA’s performance blurs the line between sound art and ceremony, offering not just a gig but a moment of emotional reckoning.

Taken together, these events form a powerful strand within a wider programme of exhibitions, talks, theatre, and workshops across NI.

Explore the full NIMHAF 2025 programme now here.