Youth Mental Health
Community Publication Project
What it is:
This project is a community-driven publication showcasing the creative voices of people with lived experience of mental health challenges. Through art, poetry, photography, short stories, and personal essays, the publication creates space for honest expression, healing, and connection.
Who it’s for:
This publication is by and for anyone who has faced mental health challenges, and believes in the power of creativity to make sense of those experiences. It's also for community members, educators, mental health advocates, and allies who want to learn, listen, and support.​
Why it’s important:
Mental health experiences are often silenced, misunderstood, or reduced to statistics. This project amplifies real stories, created on the contributors' own terms. By giving voice to lived experience, we aim to reduce stigma, foster empathy, and celebrate the resilience and creativity that exist within our communities.
When it's happening:
We are currently collecting interest from the community before curating the final collection of creative works. The launch of the final publication will be February 2026.
Get Involved:
Have a story to share? We’re looking for creative work from individuals under 30 years old from London, ON with lived experience of mental health challenges. Creative works can include:
-Poetry, Short stories, Personal essays, Visual art or photography, Comics or zines, Experimental or other hybrid forms.
No experience required. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or putting your thoughts on paper for the first time, your voice matters.
How to Submit:
We are currently collecting expressions of interest from youth interested in submitting a piece to the publication. This is NOT a call for completed work. This is an invitation to CREATE.
Pieces selected for the final publication will be eligible for an honorarium of $25-50, depending on available funding.
Please fill out the Google form, or send an email to samdowart@gmail.com
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https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1F2UpjS_HhID-69OWZa-lVcMZ7WmBxknt6pK0oKeDW_8/