Suicide Prevention Awareness Art Contest Winners Announced

BryLin Hospital Announces the Winners of its 2nd Annual Suicide Prevention Awareness Art Contest

The Art Contest was launched in conjunction with Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, observed in September. Each year, this contest aims to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention while reducing the stigma that often surrounds these important issues. Participants were invited to explore the theme “You Are Not Alone,” focusing on the vital role of support and connection in mental health. The goal was to promote open dialogue and remind individuals that help is available and that no one has to face their struggles alone.

With this art contest, we are continuing our efforts to help eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide. Unfortunately, stigma often prevents those who need help from seeking treatment, and that’s a reality we must change. Each year, nearly 50,000 people in the U.S. lose their lives to suicide, that’s 1 death every 11 minutes. The CDC now reports that suicide is the #2 cause of death among young people aged 10 to 34.

That’s why we believe this contest is so important. Mental health is just as important as physical health. Help is available and that it’s okay to ask for it. This year’s submissions are incredibly powerful, reminding those who may be struggling that they are not alone.

The Suicide Prevention Awareness Art Contest is an invitation to engage with the topic of mental health and suicide in a creative and meaningful way. To be eligible for the contest, entrants had to be 12 years of age or older and reside within the (8) counties of Western New York (including Erie, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming). Winners were encouraged to attend the awards ceremony in person, fostering a sense of community and celebration. All participants were also required to declare the originality of their creations by signing and dating the provided “Declaration of Authenticity” form.

See Winners of Last Year’s Contest Here: 2023 Suicide Prevention Awareness Art Contest

The quality of this year’s submissions exceeded expectations, with participants delivering an extraordinary range of creativity and emotional depth. Due to the high caliber of entries, the competition resulted in ties for both 2nd and 3rd places, demonstrating the powerful messages conveyed through the artwork.

The 2024 BryLin Hospital Suicide Prevention Awareness Art Contest winners are:

• First place: Isabelle Simonson
• Second place (Tie): Carol Augsburger & Sam Hudson
• Third place (Tie): Quinn Dio & Declan Goldhawk

Submissions included various artistic forms, such as paintings, drawings, and poems. A multidisciplinary team from BryLin Hospital served as the judging panel, ensuring an impartial selection process. The winners will receive Visa gift cards, and selected artworks will be displayed at BryLin Hospital for 30 days, helping to inspire ongoing conversations around mental health and suicide prevention.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped us continue the important conversations around mental health and suicide prevention. This contest not only showcases the artistic talents of its participants but also underscores their commitment to raising awareness of suicide prevention.

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*These are just a few of the many creative and inspiring submissions we received for our 2nd Annual Suicide Prevention Awareness Art Contest.

Are You Struggling with Mental Illness/Your Mental Health?

If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or other mental illness…. You’re not alone. Many people have feelings or experiences like yours at some point in their lives. When such experiences become severe, some people need to reach out for help and treatment. Call BryLin to speak with a licensed professional at (716) 886-8200 or Contact Us Today!

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