High School Essay Contest
We believe that mental health education is most effective when it begins in our youth.
IBPF’s High School Essay Contest
Congratulations to our winners!
1st Place: Micah Gatewood
2nd Place: Rachel Benson
3rd Place: Morgan Matheson
2022 Topic:
Although social media can be a powerful tool for connecting with friends and building a sense of community, research indicates that social media usage may negatively affect mental health. What are some ways that you can leverage social media for the greater good in your community?
1. Create a mental health campaign or program using social media to connect with classmates, and explain how you can develop non-screen time activities inside or outside of school.
- Make a plan for launching a social media campaign showing how you can uplift and encourage your classmate’s self-esteem and promote mental wellness.
Eligibility
- Must be a current high school student in 9th to 12th grade.
- Must provide your high school teacher or counselor’s information for verification.
Essays should be between 500 and 1,000 words but will not be penalized for surpassing the word count if the content is deemed an essential part of the student’s message.
Prizes
We are pleased to announce that 3 winners will receive cash prizes ($1,000, $500, $250) and their letters used as a template for future advocacy that will be featured on our website.
Past Winners:
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
1st Place: Jennifer Peterson
2nd Place: Kimberly Lifton
3rd Place: Cheyenne Benwarisingh and Amadea Smith
2015
2014
1st Place: Eric Shan
2nd Place: Su Bin Cho
2013
1st Place: Parag Kappor
2nd Place: Dierdre Zoe