In this GEM Scotland event we will be exploring and discussing the circular benefits of good mental health and successful learning. Our four panellists, detailed below, will share their approaches to and experience of bringing together and delivering programmes, projects and resources developed to support mental health and wellbeing in young people.

Themes included will cover partnerships, evaluation and the importance of purpose and language.

Speaker Bios

Ruthanne Baxter

Ruthanne Baxter started her career as a Music Teacher before taking up the role of Arts Education Manager for East Lothian Council. Ruthanne is currently Museums Services Manager for the University of Edinburgh, where she created and leads on Prescribe Culture, a heritage-based, non-clinical initiative to support students with mental health difficulties. Passionate about the power of heritage to provide a proven benefit for mental health, Ruthanne is co-developer of a new Student Mental Health Literacy course for Queen’s University, Canada, Director of Hidden in Heritage, a festival highlighting hidden disabilities in our past and Director of the Mad Hatter, Grey Matter Festival, an annual festival for those curious about the Brain, Psychology and Creativity. Twitter: @ruthannebaxter LinkedIn: Ruthanne Baxter

Janet Smyth

Janet Smyth is Deputy Head of Learning & Engagement at the National Galleries of Scotland and is responsible for programmes, projects and activities that seek to overcome barriers (social, health and access) to active participation in the Galleries. Previous to this Janet was a Programme Director at the Edinburgh International Book Festival establishing extensive community work across Scotland and in prisons as well as leading two major arts and health Wellcome Trust funded projects involving voice hearers and those living with chronic lung ill health. Janet advises the Toronto International Festival of Authors on the development of their community engagement work and is also a Programme Consultant for Bath Festivals.

Helen-Marie Tuiwaiwai

Helen-Marie is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, she works with adults and young people and facilitates CBT in groups for anxiety and depression. Helen-Marie trained as an actor and director at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and she recently directed her play ‘InValid Voices’ at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. As a teacher Helen-Marie has worked in mainstream, residential and secure schools in Glasgow and the Lothians. She has a Masters in Creative Writing from Glasgow University.

Katie Mitchell

Katie Mitchell is in the first year of her PhD study at the University of Sunderland, focusing on the long term impact of place-based cultural investment schemes (e.g. City of Culture, Great Place) on wellbeing and the evaluation methodologies behind them. Currently working in the cultural sector as a project assistant supporting the creative industries in Sunderland, she is also setting up an Arts & Health Network for the North East. Specific research interests include social prescribing, arts interventions for isolation, and how ‘legacy’ is understood and interpreted within arts and health programmes. Twitter @KathMitchell84