Youth Mental Health Art Contest
Each year, RiverValley Behavioral Health hosts its Youth Mental Health Art Contest, inviting youth throughout our 7-county region to share messages of hope and mental health awareness through artistic expression with the theme, “Be Kind to Your Mind.”
The contest originated in May 2021 during the pandemic as a way to promote mental health awareness among youth and show a message of support for their peers. During the first three years of the contest, RVBH received more than 1,000 art submissions and has awarded more than $10,000 worth of scholarship funds and donations throughout our school districts.
How Does it Work?
Students in grades K-College who live or attend school in our seven-county region in Kentucky (Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, and Webster counties) are invited to create and submit a visual art piece (drawing, painting, sculpture, poem, etc.) to share a message of support with the theme, “Be Kind to Your Mind.”
A $500 scholarship is awarded to the project of the year winner in each division, K-4; 5-8; 9-12; and college (ages 18-24), and a matching contribution awarded to the school or nonprofit organization chosen by the winners. The school or organization with the most entries is named, “Mental Health Partner of the Year,” with an award of $1,000.
All entries must include a completed submission form, which will be accessible beginning in February. Finalists are announced at the end of May during Mental Health Awareness Month and invited to our annual Youth Mental Health Art Contest Awards Ceremony in June!
View or download the 2024 Youth Mental Health Art Contest submission form by clicking below! For questions or more information, email [email protected]
Check Out 2024 Winners
RVBH ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 2023 YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH ART CONTEST
RiverValley Behavioral Health on Wednesday announced the winners of its 3rd annual Youth Mental Health Art Contest, which received nearly 600 submissions. The submissions this year were a new high, with officials saying they are thankful to see continued interest year after year.
“Each year, we are continually impressed with the talent and thoughtfulness of the youth and young adults in our communities through this art contest, and this year is no different,” said Brooke Arnold, RVBH Regional Prevention Center Director.
Dianne McFarling Memorial Award
The Dianne McFarling Memorial Award was introduced in June 2022 to honor an organization, business, nonprofit, charity, school, group or individual in our seven counties in Kentucky (Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, and Webster counties) that has demonstrated a commitment to improving mental health in our communities.
The award commemorates the work of the late Dianne McFarling, who served as the Senior Director of RiverValley’s Regional Prevention Center for 21 years before her untimely passing in October 2021.
RiverValley accepts nominations for the Dianne McFarling Memorial Award throughout the art contest submission period and presents the award annually at the Youth Mental Health Art Contest Awards Ceremony in June.
To make a nomination for the Dianne McFarling Memorial Award, click below!