DESIGN A HOODIE, STOP THE STIGMA
UPDATE: Submissions are now closed. The fundraiser is open until August 17, 2021.
Fundraiser Link: https://www.customink.com/fundraising/mental-health-a-wear-ness-hoodie-fundraiser-2021
Welcome to Mental Health A-WEAR-ness:
A hoodie-design contest
By participating in this contest, you can learn the signals of those who may be struggling with mental health issues; help reduce the stigma around mental health issues; and raise awareness of the many free resources that are a text, call or click away.
How can you help stop the stigma? Get educated, get creative and help spread the word!
How to participate:
1. Get educated:
Use our Resources page to learn about mental health concerns; how to support friends and family, and how to better care of your own mental health. Scroll down for FAQs or check out our instagram @mental_health_a.wear.ness for additional support. These resources can help inspire your design and help you get educated about mental health.
2. Get creative: design to make a difference
Design the front of a hoodie that gives hope to those struggling with mental health. Your design could be art, poetry, or words of support that encourage others to speak up and seek help.
Examples:
Conversation starters to use when checking in on a loved one (ex: “how are you really?”, “are you okay?”, etc.);
Positive messages (ex: “you are not alone”, “you are loved”, etc.); or
Artwork that reflects positive thinking, healthy minds and mental health wellness
Once all designs are submitted, the community will vote on their favorite design. The winner will receive $125 and have their design printed and sold via our Custom Ink site. Once the winning design has been chosen, we will launch our hoodie site and all profits made will be donated to National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) for Northern Virginia.
Design rules and details:
Artwork must be in one of the accepted file types: .JPG, .JPEG, .PNG, .GIF, .BMP, .PDF, .AI, .PSD, .EPS
Max size: 5 MB
Use of copyright images will not be permitted.
Upload: Click here to upload your design. Fill out the form and email your submission to mental.health.hoodie@gmail.com Submit designs up until May 31, 2021.
Come back and vote! On June 1, voting begins. Vote for your favorite designs and you can help pick the winner. Voting will end and the winner will be announced on June 14, 2021.
3. Spread the word:
Follow us on Instagram
Share your facts and resources and tag us to help support youth mental health issues and stop the stigma
Important Dates:
May 31, 2021: You will be able to submit designs up until May 31. This is when voting begins.
June 10, 2021: Voting ends, winner is announced!
July 1, 2021: Hoodies are available for purchase. All proceeds go to NAMI.
August 17, 2021: Fundraiser ends.
By entering this competition and submitting your entry via email you are agreeing to give the rights of your design to the Mental Health A-WEAR-ness Campaign. The use of this design will be for print on garments and digital distribution online. These avenues may be, but not limited to, our website, https://selflovematters.wixsite.com/website, instagram, and email.
All submitted work must be original and created by the submitting artist.
By entering this competition you give the Mental Health A-WEAR-ness Campaign the rights to share your submission online during and after the competition even if you are not the winner of the competition.
FAQ
Here are frequently asked questions and answers that can help you stay informed and inspire meaningful hoodie designs.
WHAT IS A STIGMA AND HOW DO WE STOP IT?
A stigma is when something is perceived negatively by others even when it’s not necessarily true. In this case, the stigma surrounding mental health is preventing people from reaching out to get the help they need. Some people think that others associate mental health and mental health issues with disgraceful and negative opinions, and this may cause people who are struggling to feel embarrassed and not want to openly talk about what they’re feeling. Together we can help solve this issue through knowing the signs, reaching out to those who need help, letting them know they are not alone, and connecting them with the right resources to support them.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF SOMEONE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES?
Mental illness looks different in everyone but some common signs of mental illness in children/youth are:
Changes in school performance
Excessive worry or anxiety, for instance fighting to avoid bed or school
Hyperactive behavior
Frequent nightmares
Frequent disobedience or aggression
Frequent temper tantrums
See https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Warning-Signs-and-Symptoms for more information.
HOW CAN I HELP MY FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER WHO MIGHT BE STRUGGLING?
There are many ways that you can help support friends and family when they're struggling with mental health. One way you is to start a conversation with them. Just by talking, you allow your friends and family to learn about the signs and symptoms of mental illness, get diagnosed earlier, and have a greater understanding of mental health. See https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/friends-family-members for more information.
HOW CAN I INITIATE CONVERSATIONS ON MENTAL HEALTH?
Starting conversations surrounding mental health can be difficult and feel uncomfortable at times, here are some ways that can help conversations about mental health feel more comfortable. Try to find a calming environment that makes you and the person feel relaxed and safe. Here are some phrases that can help start a conversation:
You don’t seem yourself lately, what’s going on?
Tell me about what is going on?
What’s happening for you?
I’ve noticed you haven’t been going out lately, is there anything you’d like to talk about?
Click here for more information.