NON-profit organisation New Horizons is hosting an art exhibition displaying works by artists who have been affected by mental health issues.

The exhibition at Tweed City Shopping Centre (in a shop opposite Coles) runs until Friday and offers an insight into the way art can aid the recovery process for people suffering from mental illness.

New Horizons community worker Mark Eather said "self expression can be a powerful way to improve mental health and well being, particularly for people who find it difficult to talk about their problems and concerns."

New Horizons peer support worker Elise Tomkins said many people found that art offered a less confronting way to express their thoughts, ideas and feelings and that by sharing the stories and showcasing the talents of people with experience of mental illness, New Horizons hoped to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding an issue which affected so many Australians.

Exhibiting poet Phillip Ellis, who suffers from Schizophrenia, said he started writing poetry some 31 years ago because he loved writing and because putting his thoughts to paper allowed him to explore what was happening to him.

Mr Ellis said poetry had helped his illness and supported him with his recovery.

In his poems Mr Ellis talked about his condition: "I have found that the universe, the world and people are among the inspirations to my creativity.

"My poetry supports me in my recovery journey by allowing me to explore and articulate aspects of my experience and world view."

Later this year, New Horizons will host a series of mental health events around the state, including a forum for people in the Northern Rivers region with mental illness .

One of the pieces exhibited at Tweed City this week will be chosen to feature in an advertising and promotional campaign for a mental health event at Byron Bay in November.

Ms Tomkins said visitors to Tweed City were invited to have a look and a chat with the exhibiting artists and could vote for their favourite work.

The work with the most votes would become the feature piece of the upcoming promotional campaign.

Tweed City marketing manager Megan Connellan said the shopping centre was keen to play a role by providing a venue for the exhibition and she encouraged customers to visit the exhibition to help make this community initiative a great success.