RiverValley Behavioral Health: “Be Kind to Your Mind” Youth Mental Health Art Contest

Mar 30, 2023

RiverValley Behavioral Health (RVBH) has launched their 3rd annual “Be Kind to Your Mind” Youth Mental Health Art Contest. This contest began as an avenue to promote youth mental health awareness in the wake of COVID. Students are encouraged to create any piece of art that shows what it means to them to be kind to your mind. This could be a sketch, poem, painting, or anything else a student wants to create. Contestants may submit artwork on or before April 21, 2023 for 4 divisions: grades K-4, grades 5-8, grades 9-12, and college (ages 18-24).

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In the previous two years, RVBH received more than 500 art submissions (see past winners below) across their seven-county region (Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, and Webster Counties). Winners receive $500, a plaque, and a matching contribution to their school or organization. In addition, the school or organization with the most entries overall will be named Mental Health Partner of The Year and receive a plaque and $1,000. Last year, the winning middle school asked students how they wanted to use their matching funds to benefit student mental health. The students chose to fund an “art cart” with art supplies available to students during the school day. Learn more here.

RVHB hosts “Be Kind to Your Mind" to encourage schools and organizations not only to be creative but also to reduce mental health stigma. Christie Netherton, Community Engagement & Marketing Specialist at RVBH, believes “It’s great to start the conversation early with kids about mental health. It really helps to normalize the idea of taking care of yourself.”

Brooke Arnold, Regional Prevention Center Director for RVBH, celebrates their partners. “We have been blown away by the response from the community. We couldn’t do this without our community partnerships. Our partners and local schools are so excited and invested in this annual event. We love being able to provide this for our communities.”

“ ‘Be Kind to Your Mind’ is an event that aligns with the Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning mission to promote behavioral health and wellness among individuals facing behavioral health challenges. BH WELL is pleased to partner with RiverValley Behavioral Health to end the stigma associated with seeking and receiving mental and behavioral health care.” notes Zim Okoli, BH WELL Executive Director.

Those wishing to enter the 2023 “Be Kind To Your Mind” competition must complete a submission form (download at www.rvbh.com) and submit it along with their artwork to RVBH by April 21 (postmarked or received by RVBH). Finalists will be announced May 19, 2023, during Mental Health Awareness Month. The awards ceremony to honor finalists and announce the award winners will be held June 7, 2023. All art submissions become property of RiverValley Behavioral Health.

2020 and 2021 Finalists

RiverValley Behavioral Health is the Commonwealth’s designated regional behavioral healthcare provider in Western Kentucky, serving Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, and Webster Counties for more than 50 years. RiverValley currently hosts more than 30 programs that include inpatient and outpatient services for families impacted by mental health, developmental disabilities, alcohol and substance use disorders. To learn more about services, please call (270) 689-6879.

If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, dial 988, or call the mental health crisis line at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or text “HELP4U” (435748).

The Behavioral Health Wellness Environments for Living and Learning (BH WELL) research team exists to promote behavioral health and wellness among individuals facing behavioral health challenges. Click here for more information about BH WELL. Follow us on social media.