The winners have been announced of a competition aimed at empowering young people to challenge mental health stigma through creativity and innovation.

The Youth Anti-Stigma Social Media Competition, organised by a collective of community members, invited young people across the island to submit entries in three categories that each came with a $1,000 prize.

Diana Bishop was named the winner of the Story category with a creative production that challenged myths about who can be affected by mental health and the realities they face.

Amirah Trott won the Song category with an original piece that used powerful lyrics and melody to break down stigma and promote understanding.

Meanwhile, Eshe Holdipp-Lynch took home the prize in the Image category, where she submitted a thought-provoking series of images designed to spark important conversations about the use of language related to mental health.

Each of the winning entries will be featured in an island-wide anti-stigma campaign set to launch next year.

It is hoped that the messages will inspire the broader Bermuda community.

The competition was organised by the Mental Health Anti-Stigma Bermuda Initiative, a collective of community members, third-sector organisations, government agencies and private partners.

The group seeks to address stigma around mental health and promote inclusivity through innovative community-led efforts.

The organisers of the competition included representatives from Family Centre, Solstice, MASC, the Department of Child and Family Services, and the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

The competition represents a key recommendation from the Youth Mental Health Plan, which was developed around insights from Bermuda’s first National Adolescent Mental Health Survey.

Daniel Cavanagh, lead author of the plan, said: “The Youth Anti-Stigma Social Media Competition exemplifies the power of collaboration among Bermuda’s key mental health organisations to create meaningful opportunities for youth engagement and advocacy.

"Involving young people in efforts to improve their mental health is fundamental to the Youth Mental Health Plan.

“Their voices and creativity are critical to breaking down barriers and creating change.

“There will be many more opportunities for young people to be involved in this work in the coming years."

Mr Cavanagh said that the Youth Anti-Stigma Social Media Competition highlighted the incredible talent and passion of Bermuda’s youth and reaffirmed the importance of engaging them as partners in the movement to combat mental health stigma.

• For more information on the MHAS Bermuda Initiative or upcoming opportunities for young people to get involved, contact Mr Cavanagh at ymhbermuda@gmail.com