Spend some time with your creative side and share your voice! We are seeking creative submissions to raise awareness, inspire conversations to reduce stigma, and improve mental health! #CreateConnectCare is a year-long effort to empower youth ages 11 - 18 to share their stories, build empathy, and spark change through creative action.
1. CHOOSE A FOCUS AREA
Awareness - Mental health is just as important as physical health but is often misunderstood or ignored.
Use your creativity to raise awareness of mental health by describing your experiences.
Think about… how it feels to live as a person with mental health struggles. What it's like to care for someone who has a mental health challenge. What causes you stress, anxiety, or your mental health struggles?
Stigma - Stigma, prejudice, and discrimination against people with mental illness take many forms and can lead to harm.
Use your creativity to start the conversation about stigma.
Think about… how stigma has affected you or someone you know. What can others do to help break the stigma?
Connection - Studies show that connecting with others can alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression.
Use your creativity…to express how connecting with your peers or the larger community has positively impacted your mental health.
Think about it…How do you connect with others? How has the help of your peers, teachers, parents, or healthcare providers improved your mental well-being?
Self-care - Self-care can play a role in maintaining your mental health and help support your treatment and recovery if you have a mental illness.
Use your creativity to explore what self-care means to you.
Think about it…How do you take care of your physical, mental, and emotional health How do these activities help you feel better?
Sports and Mental Well-being
While sports offer joy, connection, confidence, and stress-busting endorphins, they can also fuel anxiety, perfectionism, and body image issues.
Explore how sports impact your mental health. Use your creativity to express your thoughts and feelings.
Social Media and Mental Well-being
While social media can connect young people and offer support, excessive use or exposure to negativity can fuel anxiety, depression, and body image issues, impacting their overall well-being. Striking a healthy balance and being mindful of content is crucial for navigating the complex world of social media.
Explore how social media impacts your mental health. Use your creativity to express your thoughts and feelings.
2. CHOOSE A MEDIUM
Literary Arts: Short stories, essays, poetry, scripts, graphic novels. Submissions in this category not to exceed 1,000 words.
Visual Arts: Drawings, paintings, graphic design, photography, memes, and designed social media posts.
Performing Arts: Dance, theater, spoken word.
Media Arts: Music, PSAs, film/video. Submissions in this category not to exceed three minutes.
STEM: Robotics, digital design, gaming.
3. DESCRIBE YOUR PROJECT
Explain what you made and what you are trying to tell us with your work. Are you raising awareness about a specific issue, inspiring others, or simply sharing your unique perspective?
Looking for some motivation? Check out this video on social anxiety created by Bryce in Colorado. How would you help others understand what it feels like to suffer from social anxiety?
