A Minds at Peace Foundation programme
CANVAS
Stories that change how we see mental health.
CANVAS is the foundation’s creative programme. We tell stories about mental health that move people, that help them, and that stay with them, through film, music, poetry, art and every form in between. We make our own work, collaborate with established artists and production houses, and push the wider industry to tell more of these stories, and to tell them well.
Why it matters
Art changes culture first.
Most people learn what mental illness looks like from a screen, a song or a book long before they meet it in life. Those stories decide whether it is met with fear, pity or understanding, and too often they get it wrong. The people making them are struggling too: creative work is precarious, freelance and built on rejection.
Our vision
Stories that make it easier to say “me too”.
Work made with care, an industry that portrays mental health honestly, and creative people who are looked after while they make it.
Available now
- The open call. Send us your poem, song, short film or artwork about mental health and we will share it, fully credited. You keep your copyright.
- The creator network. For artists, writers, musicians and crew who want to make work on mental health, and to hear first about commissions.
- Telling it safely. A one-page guide for creators, journalists and social media teams on portraying mental illness and suicide without causing harm, built on established international guidelines.
- Collaborate with us. A route for artists, production houses, broadcasters and brands to propose work together.
Made responsibly.
Every CANVAS project follows recognised guidance on portraying mental health and suicide. We protect the dignity and privacy of the people whose stories we tell, and every piece points audiences towards credible support.
Every open call submission is read by a member of our team before it is shared, and every contributor is offered a route to support.
A story told carelessly can do harm. A story told well can save a life.
In development
- Original productions. Short films, a podcast and music commissions, made by us and with others.
- Support for creatives. Irregular income, rejection, touring and the crash after a project ends: routes to support, and peer circles.
- On set and in the newsroom. Advice for productions, writers and editors on portraying mental illness and suicide accurately, before it airs.
- An annual anthology. The best of the open call, in print and online.
- Festival partnerships. Talks, panels and curated programmes at film, music and literature festivals.
- Creative workshops for young people. Writing, music and art as a way to put words to what is hard to say.
- Work in other languages. Urdu, Hindi and Arabic first.
- Recognition for getting it right. An annual nod to the film, show, song or story that portrayed mental health most honestly.
CANVAS also produces Standing Item, the Founding Circle’s film series of leaders on mental health.
Make it with us.
Whether you are an artist, a production house, a broadcaster or a creator with a story to tell, we would like to hear from you.
Need help now?
If you are in immediate danger
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact your local emergency services now.
Take the self-checkNine private questions about your mood. Your answers stay on your device.
United Kingdom and Europe
United Kingdom
- 999Emergency services, if a life is at risk.
- 111NHS 111. Choose the mental health option for urgent help.
- 116 123Samaritans. Free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Text SHOUT to 85258Shout. Free, confidential, 24/7 text support.
Ireland
France
Germany
- 112Emergency services.
- 0800 111 0 111TelefonSeelsorge.
Italy
- 112Emergency services.
- 02 2327 2327Telefono Amico.
Spain
Netherlands
Belgium
- 112Emergency services.
- 1813Zelfmoordlijn.
- 0800 32 123Centre de Prévention du Suicide.
Switzerland
Luxembourg
Sweden
Poland
Middle East and North Africa
Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan and Turkey: no dedicated national line confirmed; emergency number shown.
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
- 800 725462 (800-SAKINA)Abu Dhabi Department of Health. 24 hours, Arabic and English.
- 800 506 (Itma’en)Dubai. Free, daily 9am to midnight, Arabic and English.
- 999 police, 998 ambulanceIf a life is at risk.
Qatar
Bahrain
- 999Emergency services.
Oman
- 9999Emergency services.
Kuwait
- 112Emergency services.
Jordan
- 911Emergency services.
Turkey
- 112Emergency services.
Lebanon
- 1564Embrace Lifeline.
Egypt
South Asia
Pakistan
- 1122Rescue 1122 emergency service.
- 0311 7786264Umang. 3pm to 11pm.
India
- 112Emergency services.
- 14416 or 1-800-891-4416Tele-MANAS, the national mental-health helpline. Free, 24/7, in multiple languages.
Bangladesh
- 999Emergency services.
- 09612 119911Kaan Pete Roi.
Sri Lanka
- 1926National mental health helpline.
Nepal
- 1166Suicide prevention helpline.
Africa
The Americas
Asia Pacific
Japan
- 119Emergency services.
- 0120 279 338Yorisoi Hotline.
South Korea
China
Hong Kong
Singapore
Malaysia
Indonesia
Philippines
Australia
New Zealand
Minds at Peace is an awareness, advocacy and support-access organisation. It is not an emergency service and does not replace qualified medical or mental-health professionals.
For non-emergency concerns, consider speaking with a qualified mental-health professional. We add numbers only after checking them with the service, and our list grows as our resource directory develops.
UK numbers checked with Samaritans, the NHS and Shout. Rescue 1122 checked with the Punjab Emergency Service. Tele-MANAS checked against Government of India sources. UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar numbers checked against the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, Dubai Health, the Saudi Ministry of Health and Hamad Medical Corporation. All other numbers verified against official and helpline sources. October 2026.