JoJo is participating in MIELI ry’s Mental Health Art Week 19.–25.5.2025 by holding two free workshops for volunteer workers.
JoJo – Oulu Dance Centre is participating in MIELI ry’s Mental Health Art Week by holding two free workshops for volunteers who work in the mental health space in any way. The workshops are aimed at maintaining one’s well-being in a positive and encouraging environment using somatic methods.
Volunteer workers help others through crises, support and guide them in different circumstances and organize activities that support mental health and well-being; support groups, outings and events. It is of utmost importance to thank those who always take care of others, and offer our volunteers some tools and coping mechanisms to manage their own wellness.
JoJo offers two free workshops for volunteer workers in Oulu. The workshops are guided by a dance professional, whose priority is to create a welcoming and facultative space to listent to your mind and body. Excercises include body maintenance, stretching, creative movement, relaxing and discussions about well-being at work. You don’t need previous experience with dance or any physical expression – come as you are!
Workshops take place at Culture Centre Valve dance studios in Oulu city centre.
Wednesday 21.5.2025
12:00 – 13:30
17:30 – 19:00
More information:
Leea Alatalo
Audience work coordinator
leea.alatalo@jojo.fi
Viivi Junno
Event production trainee
viivi.junno@jojo.fi
Participation is free of charge. Fill out your contact information and choose your workshop!
Each time slot has limited spots. Instruction is mainly in Finnish.
Annual Mental Health Art Week – MHAW activities are organized nationwide in order to offer low threshold access to cultural events and to raise awareness on the positive impact of art activities on mental wellbeing.
Together with MIELI member associations accross Finland, members of the Circus & Dance Info Finland and local partner organizations MHAW offers you a wide range of activities during week 21, including performances, concerts, variety of hands-on workshops, exhibitions, unique opportunities to meet artists and backstage access, forest walks, demonstrations and inspiring discussions. Mental Health Art Week welcomes everyone on board in organizing, participating and sharing our message: Arts and cultural engagement fosters our mental wellbeing.
Most of the MHAW workshops and discussions are conducted in Finnish, however, arts and culture sees no boundaries in connecting people. Follow our MHAW Facebook-page for the latest news and programme. There are more than 25 cities involved with this year’s MHAW week and numerous events. If you are specifically interested in English speaking events and are residing in the capital city region, keep an eye on our member association MIELI without Borders.
Nationwide MHAW cultural activities that are organized nationwide not only offer low threshold access to cultural events and raise awareness on the positive impact of culture and art activities on mental wellbeing, they also challenge the stigma associated with mental health problems via creative means. MIELI member associations, in cooperation with local partner organizations, organize MHAW events that are coordinated from our headquarters in Pasila.
Mental Health Art Week (MHAW) was originally born in Scotland and has been organized every year during the last week of May by MIELI Mental Health Finland since 2014.
Clinical studies have found that arts engagement promotes patient recovery, relaxation and reduces stress, anxiety and depression. In the elderly, arts engagement reduces depressed mood, enhances self-worth and promotes positive aging. Arts programs for young people have been linked with improved motivation, self-image, hope for the future and self-esteem.
Where population-based studies have been conducted, arts engagement has been associated with perceptions of happiness and stress reduction (BMC Public Health 16, art 15, 2015).
A list of events and cities participating in MHAW can be found in Finnish from the MHAW webpage.
Mental Health Art Week is organized for the 11th time this year, and is happening between 19th and 25th of May nationwide. Our theme for the year is coping skills and taking one step at a time.
Share your own arts & cultural engagement in social media during the MHAW week with hashtags #mhaw2025 #hyväämieltäkulttuurista and #MIELIstepatatime. Invite friends to join you and encourage people around you to participate in cultural activities; to visit museums, exhibitions, to listen music, dance, take pictures and join crafts workshops!
