If you’re a student ages 13-18 with a passion for mental health advocacy and building stronger relationships with your friends, family, and peers, Arianna Huffington’s Thrive Global wants to publish your work!
On World Mental Health Day on October 10th, in response to startling statistics about the rise of student mental health concerns (over 90 percent of Generation Z students say they’re stressed out, according to the American Psychological Association’s 2018 Stress in America report), Thrive Global launched Thrive on Campus, a major ongoing initiative anchored by a special section devoted to stories from the student and educational communities about improving mental health and well-being in class and beyond.
The sources of teen stress can come from many directions — hyperconnectivity through screens, comparison anxiety from social media, pressures to succeed in school and at extracurriculars — and many of the most helpful tools for relieving this stress we learn through our relationships. The connections we share with the people we love and care about, from the classroom to other corners of our lives, help us de-stress, find joy, and ultimately unlock our full potential. At the end of the day, it comes down to the teacher who never fails to shed light on a new perspective, the friend who is always there when we need a shoulder or an ear, or the pet that offers unconditional love even on our worst days, because they are the ones who remind us of our resilience.
With this in mind, we want to hear how the relationships in your life help you thrive.
Thrive is partnering on another special Essay Writing Competition with Write the World, an interactive online global community for student writers to develop their voices, refine their editing skills, and get their work published on an international platform. Thrive’s Editorial Director, Marina Khidekel, will be the guest judge.
What’s in it for you:
- Professional publication: Finalists’ entries will be judged by Thrive’s Editorial Director, Marina Khidekel. Thrive will publish the Best Entry and Runner Up stories on the Thrive on Campus special section, and share on Thrive’s social media channels.
- Prizes: The Best Entry will be awarded $100, and the Runner Up and Best Peer Review will be awarded $50 each.
- Expert reviews: The first 100 entries will be eligible for personalized feedback from Write the World’s team of expert writers, teachers, and education professionals.
Here’s what you need to know:
Competition eligibility: Current students ages 13-18
Registration: Register for a free contributor account on Write the World
Opening date for submissions: September 9th, 2019
Due date for submissions: September 26th, 2019
Winners to be announced: October 11th, 2019
The prompt: How do connections power you through life? (See here for the story prompt and competition details.)
We’re eager to hear your thoughts and to give your voices a meaningful, global platform.
Subscribe here for all the latest news on how you can keep Thriving.
More on Mental Health on Campus:
What Campus Mental Health Centers Are Doing to Keep Up With Student Need
If You’re a Student Who’s Struggling With Mental Health, These 7 Tips Will Help
The Hidden Stress of RAs in the Student Mental Health Crisis