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Last year Hull Young Parliament members voted almost unanimously to provide more of a voice to young people on mental health issues in the area.

The all day event used show stopping stunts, music and creative workshops to explore and challenge the stigma and labels attached to mental illness. The statistics prove more and more young people are experiencing mental health issues, whilst according to Mental Health Foundation one out of four people will experience mental health problems in any one year.

Saturday the 18th of July saw the conclusion of over a year鈥檚 hard work focusing on publicizing mental health issues in young people. Hull鈥檚 Young Peoples Parliament is credited as the driving force behind the whole event and its young member Adelle Mogg told me how it all started.

鈥淚t was actually a couple of years ago we decided young people with mental health and disabilities weren't getting heard by people. It has finally happened and I am so excited.鈥�

大象传媒 Headroom tent at Manifest 2009

大象传媒 Headroom were located at Hull Truck with rather an impressive chill-out tent. It was a huge tepee filled with cushions and throws, a secluded getaway with relaxation and meditation CD鈥檚. Online, 大象传媒 Headroom has a Mood Spa, reading lists and advice to help understand and improve your mental well-being. The project believes looking after your mental well being is as important as your physical well being.

Flashmob dancing at Manifest

Whilst standing outside St Stephen鈥檚 Shopping Centre it seemed as though the grey clouds were going to hold for the spectacular beginning to Manifest 2009.
The music started and the flash-mob struck. The unsuspecting public were blasted with music ranging from Dizzee Rascal to Lulu. The energetic groups of young people and children dancing lifted the dull morning, with great choreography and humour.

Once the dance finished the festivities continued. Dressed in circus attire The Ladybird Project Theatre Group along with their drums, whistles and percussion instruments set off with the crowd and lead them through the city centre. Giant drums, jugglers, gymnasts - you would have been forgiven for thinking the circus had arrived. The parade picked up more followers leading them back to the newly opened and host of Manifest 2009, Hull Truck Theatre, Ferensway.

The foyer of the beautiful new theatre was the headquarters of the Manifest event and its huge banner. Wandering around the many stalls and booths it was clear to see the amount of support Manifest had accumulated. NHS Hull, Humber Mental Health NHS Teaching Trust and Mind were all there helping and advising the general public.

Kate McDonald from Jellycat Media Ltd based at Artlink Princes Avenue co-ordinated the event.
鈥淛ellycat was set up out of a mental health service called Psypher that鈥檚 for young people with psychosis.鈥� said Kate.
鈥淲e found that doing creative activities, it鈥檚 a catalyst - people do get better.鈥�

Megan Mennell, service user with Psypher and contributor to Manifest had nothing but praise for the event.
鈥淚'm so excited walking around, taking everything in- it鈥檚 a great success.鈥�

Megan Mennell singing at Manifest

Megan opened the music stage with some very personal songs about her own experience with mental health issues.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an outlet 鈥搘rite about whatever you want鈥� Megan explains. 鈥淲riting poems or listen to a favourite song, just create how you feel.鈥�

The stage downstairs played host to local up and coming artists and bands including Jodie McKenna and Abbie Lammas, both regulars on 大象传媒 Radio Humberside's Raw Talent.

Ladybird Project at Manifest 2009

Heavily involved in the day鈥檚 festivities was The Ladybird Project. The Leeds based creative arts foundation ran many workshops and were the main facilitators in the events parade.

Dressed in their funky circus costumes Phil, Reb and Andrew explained how they got involved with Manifest.
鈥淲e were asked by Jellycat to come. We have been doing a lot of circus skills workshops, we had play in a day - a theatre workshop, a hula hooping performance, face painting, drumming and percussion workshops 鈥� so it has been a busy day鈥�

Phil explained 鈥淚 think they have been really clear and open about actually discussing and not making it a taboo subject 鈥� which has been really positive. We've been pleased to be involved.鈥�

Manifest 2009 was fun, exciting and a credit to all involved but the work is ongoing - hopefully this is simply the beginning.