Date set for mental health museum re-launch

The Mental Health Museum at Fieldhead will re-open its doors on Tuesday 13 May to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week.

The museum is a unique project based at the heart of the Fieldhead site in Wakefield provided by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of mental health, learning disability, health improvement and community services in Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.

The museum houses a collection of mental health related objects that span the history of mental health care from the early 19th century through to the present day. Much of the collection focuses on the histories of the community, culture and practices of the West Riding Lunatic Asylum, later known as the Stanley Royd Hospital.

Cara Sutherland, the museum’s curator said, “The museum will focus on engaging and educating visitors and working with local people to promote understanding, combat stigma and break down barriers to wellbeing. Over the next 12-18 months the museum will be constantly evolving and developing its collection based on feedback from visitors including services users, carers, members of staff and the public.”

“Our diverse collection has been put together to provoke debates surrounding contemporary mental health care and to promote understanding, empowerment and respect. Each object, story and every reaction to them can be part of the mission to combat social inequality, prejudice, stigma and ignorance.”

“The museum has already forged links with local schools, colleges and universities to provide visits, bespoke educational experiences and in-reach activities at the museum and we will continue to develop this going forward.”

To find out more about the Mental Health Museum and plans to celebrate its re-launch, visit www.mentalhealthmuseum.co.uk or like the museum on Facebook.

If you would like to get involved with the project or book a visit please contact the team on 01924 328 654 or email museum@swyt@nhs.nhs.uk.