The theme for the Youth Awards in 2021 was Living life to the full: Building and maintaining good mental health. Students were asked to create a visual representation, a cartoon, artwork, collage or photo, that shows the everyday things that you can do to live life to the full and help build and maintain good mental health. Each entry was asked to include a written paragraph explaining the artwork and finally students were asked to fill out a short mental health quiz.
Congratulations to the prize winners of the Mercy Youth Awards Competition!
1st Place: Daisy H., Brigidine College Randwick
Some things I do when I feel sad or overwhelmed are, talk to my mum, write down how I’m feeling, sit in my dad’s study reading cartoons, and crocheting, so I can do something mindless while I think.
The student wins $700 cash and the school receives $700 to spend on social justice resources or to donate to a charity addressing social justice in Australia.
2nd Place: Adriana M., Cerdon College
There are many things that we could do to build and maintain good mental health. For me, taking breaks during a busy school schedule is important especially as I begin to approach my final year of high school. Spending time with those who make me happy such as family and friends is a good way to take a break. I enjoy doing this outdoors with someone who makes me happy and is willing to be there for me when times are tough. By having a good support system and taking breaks, I can improve my mental health.
The student wins $350 cash and the school receives $350 to spend on social justice resources or to donate to a charity addressing social justice in Australia.
3rd Place: Lily M., Mater Maria College
My photo incorporates the idea of a TV displaying different ways you can care for your mental health. I used newspapers for the background inside the television to make it feel more alive. The objective of the TV is to make it appear as if the words are being displayed on a real TV. Everything was made from recycled materials I had at home. Behind the television, you can see I used a chrysanthemum wallpaper because the flower represents fidelity, optimism, joy and long life, all of which I believe are characteristics of good mental health.
The student wins $200 cash and the school receives $200 to spend on social justice resources or to donate to a charity addressing social justice in Australia.
The winning entries will be published on our website shortly.
Highly Commended: $50 Vouchers
- Alivia K, Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College
- Amelie K, Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College
- Daisy B, Mater Maria Catholic College
- Emily W, Scone Grammar School
- Emma B, Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College
- Eva V, Mercy Catholic College
- Kaylee C, Urrbrae Agricultural High School
- Gabriella P, Mercy Catholic College
- Lucy T, St Raphael’s Catholic School
- Molly H, Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College
The school that submitted the most entries was Monte Sant Angelo Mercy College. A total of 240 entries were received from 25 schools across Australia.
Judges
Ms Nicola Palfrey, National Clinical Manager, headspace Schools Division
Sr Bernadette Mansour RSM, Board Member, Mercy Foundation
Ms Sue Mowbray CEO, Mercy Foundation
Ms Leesa Feilen, Projects Coordinator, Mercy Foundation
Thank you to all students who entered the Mercy Youth Awards Competition. The standard of the entries was excellent, and we are impressed with the efforts made.
