As a Northwest Indiana behavioral health provider, Edgewater Health professionals want patients, especially teenagers, throughout the region to talk about mental health.

A new art competition from the provider helps break that stigma, said LaTanya Woodson, director of community health education for Edgewater Health.

“We need to start having more transparent conversations with our youth, particularly our teens,” Woodson said. “Speak out, reach out and shatter the silence that’s associated with mental health.”

Edgewater Health is hosting an art competition called, “Speak Up. Reach Out. Shatter the Silence.” The competition is open for Indiana teenage residents enrolled in a Lake County high school.

Applicants can submit oil, watercolor, spray, finger painting, pencil artwork, collage and artwork that incorporates fiber or found objects, according to Edgewater’s competition flier. Artificial Intelligence-generated artwork will not be accepted.

Before submitting their work, applicants must register for the competition by Jan. 24, 2025, completing a registration form with a parent’s signature. Students must also submit a 300 to 500-word statement.

Artwork must be submitted by 5 p.m. March 31, 2025. Submissions can be mailed to Edgewater Health, 1100 W. 6th Ave., Gary.

First, second and third place submissions will receive cash prizes, with first and second receiving $500 each and third receiving $250. The first-place winner will also be featured at Edgewater’s June 7, 2025, community gala at Hard Rock Casino.

Woodson is excited to see what submissions the competition receives.

“As far as mental health and wellness is concerned, not only will this competition showcase (students’) talents, but it will start to normalize healthy conversations,” Woodson said. “We don’t talk about it like we should, not in a healthy way, and I believe this will begin the process of helping students start those conversations.”

One-third of Indiana high school students reported experiencing poor mental health most of the time or always in 2023, according to findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior survey The survey also found that 47% of students experienced depression in the past year.

Woodson believes it’s important for students to understand what they’re feeling, and Edgewater professionals are available if students need them, she said.

There’s no right or wrong interpretation of the competition theme, Woodson said.

“Just speak up, reach out and shatter the silence,” she said. “We just want to encourage (students) to use their creativity. We want to inspire and encourage them to enter this contest.”

mwilkins@chicagotribune.com