Art Contest for K-5th Graders to Stop Stigma of Mental Illness

Winning Artists Will Receive Prizes!

Be Stigma-Free and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Fairfield are accepting entries from area Kindergarten – 5th grade students for the “Mental Illness: Through My Eyes” Art Contest. The deadline for entries is December 1, 2013.

Mental illness affects one in four people, but many are uncomfortable talking about it due to stigma and shame. Young artists are encouraged to share their feelings and experiences about how it feels when someone is unkind to them because they are different.

“This contest provides area children with an opportunity to get involved in community efforts to raise understanding and combat the stigma associated with mental illness,” said Judy Gardner, President of NAMI Fairfield.

“We want to break down negative images that people may have when someone is different from them. By encouraging our young community members to share their ideas and experiences through art, we hope to foster a culture of compassion,” said Loretta Jay. Cheryll Houston is eager to engage children in this project. “Involving kids in dialogue about differences, and subsequently mental illness, will ideally prevent barriers from forming that we as adults oftentimes get stuck with.” Both women are NAMI Fairfield Board Members and co-founders of Be Stigma-Free.

The contest is the second part of Stigma-Free CT’s 2013 campaign to promote messages of hope and support, encourage positive beliefs and attitudes about living with mental illness, and dispel myths and stereotypes that cause stigma. In the spring a successful Essay Contest was held; essays can be found at www.StigmaFreeCT.com. Stigma-Free CT is a collaboration between NAMI Fairfield and Be Stigma-Free, an advocacy, education and awareness organization.

The art contest is open to elementary school children living in Fairfield, Westport, Norwalk, Wilton, Weston, Easton, Bridgeport, Stratford, Trumbull, Monroe and Newtown. Prizes will be awarded from Yellow Moon Toy Store, Silver Ribbon jewelry store and Game Stop. A panel of NAMI Fairfield Board Members and community representatives will choose the winners. Artwork will be judged on the ability to motivate action or inspire change, creativity and originality, and content and authenticity. For more information and the complete list of Rules and Regulations, please visit the Stigma-Free CT’s website at www.StigmaFreeCT.com. 

For more information on NAMI Fairfield’s mental health efforts and supportive services, please visit www.NAMIFairfield.org.