THE demolition of a former asylum inspired one man to paint a picture which forms part of a ground-breaking exhibition designed to break down stigmas surrounding mental health.

For the first time, a public gallery is showing the artwork of people who are helped by Tees, Esk and Wear Valley (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust, and its staff.

The trust offers mental health, learning disability, substance misuse and eating disorder services to patients across the region.

This year’s exhibition is titled ‘One in four journeys’ referring to the number of people estimated to have mental health problems at some point in their life.

Tony Neale from Middlesbrough took his creativity from the bulldozing of the town’s St Luke’s psychiatric hospital in 2010 which was replaced with the Roseberry Park facility.

“I wanted to show that it was the end of an era and signify how attitudes to mental health have now changed,” said the 60-year-old. “Art has helped bring me out as I was so withdrawn. Fifteen years ago I had a mental breakdown when I lost my wife and I just withdrew from society. My mental health team has been fantastic. Anybody can be inflicted, some people get ill physically while others have mental health illness.”

Clinical lead occupational therapist at Roseberry Park, Rachel Booth, who is also the TEWV Arts lead, added: “Art and creativity are often an important part in people’s personal recovery journey. It also helps us break down barriers and the stigma attached to mental health and celebrate the way art can enhance the positive experience of service users.”

The exhibition runs from Saturday, (October 5) to Saturday, October 19, at Gilkes Street Art Gallery, Gilkes Street Middlesbrough, on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am to 2pm. To mark World Mental Health Day an open day with craft activities is being held on Thursday, October 10, from 2.30pm to 6pm.