#create-connect-care A Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Campaign
Recognition & Awards
$500 recognition
(3 awards)
Creative Changemaker Award:
This top award recognizes exceptional creativity, innovation, and a deep understanding of youth mental health and well-being. It is awarded to one student in each of the three age groups.
$250 recognition
(15 awards)
Visionary Spark Award:
Celebrates work that offers a fresh and innovative perspective on youth mental health and well-being.
$150 recognition
(15 awards)
Imagination Catalyst Award:
Recognizes work demonstrating a creative and thoughtful approach to addressing youth mental health and well-being.
$400 recognition
(4 awards)
Collective Impact Award:
This award recognizes exceptional group/class projects in which students collaborated to create a work of creative expression.
$100 recognition
(3 awards)
Honorable Mention: Spark of
Inspiration Award
Recognizes work that shows promise and creativity in addressing youth mental health and well-being.
Visual Arts
Sitting In Motion
My submission is titled, “Sitting In Motion.” It shows a simple scene of a packed subway with future leaders and business professionals hastily walking. Just with a glance you could tell they have a million things to do and will succeed at each one. They each have found their purpose in life. You watch as this scene unfolds with your head in your hands and feet planted. They are moving in the subway while the subway moves too, and you are just sitting in motion. Everything is too fast to comprehend, but you know you are falling behind without ever being able to find the time to catch up. I hope others will feel seen when looking at my work. It is very easy to feel left behind or like everyone has their life figured out while you are only starting. I want others to feel like they are not alone. Even in stillness, there is progress. Even when you feel stuck, you are still moving forward in ways you may not yet recognize. “Sitting In Motion” is a reminder that your timeline is your own, and that feeling lost does not mean you are not on your way.
By Shravya M., 17
Sitting In Motion
Artist
Shravya M.
Age group
16-18
Arts activity type
Visual Arts
Reflection
My submission is titled, “Sitting In Motion.” It shows a simple scene of a packed subway with future leaders and business professionals hastily walking. Just with a glance you could tell they have a million things to do and will succeed at each one. They each have found their purpose in life. You watch as this scene unfolds with your head in your hands and feet planted. They are moving in the subway while the subway moves too, and you are just sitting in motion. Everything is too fast to comprehend, but you know you are falling behind without ever being able to find the time to catch up. I hope others will feel seen when looking at my work. It is very easy to feel left behind or like everyone has their life figured out while you are only starting. I want others to feel like they are not alone. Even in stillness, there is progress. Even when you feel stuck, you are still moving forward in ways you may not yet recognize. “Sitting In Motion” is a reminder that your timeline is your own, and that feeling lost does not mean you are not on your way.
Visual Arts
The monster inside
This submission is about how people see themselves compared to how others see them.This person n sees themselves as a monster while others see him as a friend.
By blaine p., 17
The monster inside
Artist
blaine p.
Age group
16-18
Arts activity type
Visual Arts
Reflection
This submission is about how people see themselves compared to how others see them.This person n sees themselves as a monster while others see him as a friend.
Visual Arts
Recovery
My submission is my own journey and it is a reflection of what I have used to help me recover. Depression is a very serious topic and I hope that my drawing can inspire and encourage people to choose the road to recovery. People should always know that there are ways to deal with mental health even if you don't feel safe or confident enough to speak up. Sometimes, all you need is to face a challenge and overcome it in order to grow and learn from the experience.
By Amy R., 14
Recovery
Artist
Amy R.
Age group
13-15
Arts activity type
Visual Arts
Reflection
My submission is my own journey and it is a reflection of what I have used to help me recover. Depression is a very serious topic and I hope that my drawing can inspire and encourage people to choose the road to recovery. People should always know that there are ways to deal with mental health even if you don’t feel safe or confident enough to speak up. Sometimes, all you need is to face a challenge and overcome it in order to grow and learn from the experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read the list below for answers to common questions about #CreateConnectCare. Have a question that’s not in this list? Email us at [email protected]!
When is the #CreateConnectCare Challenge Open?
#CreateConnectCare is open for submissions between January 12 — March 31, 2026
When will the #CreateConnectCare 2026 Awards be announced?
The #CreateConnectCare 2026 Awards will be announced in May.
Who can submit work to #CreateConnectCare?
Students ages 11-18 can submit work to #CreateConnectCare. In addition, educators and youth-supporting adults can submit work on behalf of their classroom, club, or group.
Join the movement. Share your voice. Let creativity inspire connection.
Follow #CreateConnectCare to see new youth creations, challenge updates, and mental health resources. Sign up for email updates to stay in the loop and help spread the message of creativity, connection, and care.
