M.A.D.-H.O.P.E. Trusted Adult Youth Art Contest
Whatcom Family & Community Network and M.A.D.-H.O.P.E. (Making A Difference – Helping Other People Everywhere) is presenting an art contest for youth ages 10 to 24. Our goal is to raise awareness around Trusted Adults and youth mental well-being sharing their artistic expression of what a Trusted Adult means to them. Youth are also invited to share an optional story about their Trusted Adult when submitting art.
We are accepting entries from now until June 27, and 3 winners will be selected by the 30th.
If you would like prompts, here are some examples of questions think about:
- A favorite memory with your Trusted Adult
- How you’ve shown appreciation for their support
- Think about where your Trusted Adult supports you
- Think about how they have helped you grow
- Share a time when they helped you through a challenge/listened to you/provided support, etc.
Here are descriptions of previous workshops for how young people describe Trusted Adults:
- A good listener
- Non-judgmental
- Reliable
- Sets boundaries
- Takes youth seriously
Submit your entry or send any questions via email to madhope@wfcn.org
More information can be found at MADHOPE.org.
MADHOPE is a youth suicide prevention and wellness program created by youth and adults in Whatcom County, seeks to end youth suicide in our community and promote youth mental well-being. We provide suicide prevention and wellness training in our schools and community that focuses on hope and resilience to encourage youth to seek help from each other and from Trusted Adults. When asked, youth have told us that they are willing to go to a Trusted Adult who “listens, shows up, believes them, and says, ‘I’m here if you want me.'”
Need help NOW?
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1.800.273.8255 (TALK)
Collage of Entries
Take a look at these collages of art submitted to the contest! Collages prepared by CONNECTED Project, National Council for Behavioral Health Youth Influencer, Kiera Hillaire
Trusted Adult Stories
Art contest participants were invited to share an optional story about their Trusted Adult when submitting art for the contest. Check out these incredible stories from the youth artists!
Trusted Adults
Trusted Adults are incredibly important to youth mental well-being. Whatcom youth have shared that a Trusted Adult is someone they feel comfortable going to in times of need, someone they can count on to listen and help them no matter what! By hearing from youth what a Trusted Adult is to them, adults can learn to become a Trusted Adult and support the youth in their lives.
Make a Difference
All youth have the power to make a difference, and we would not be able to do this work without the contributions of the youth in our community. If you would like to share your art with us, make a video for a M.A.D.-H.O.P.E. training, or get involved in another way, please reach out to us at madhope@wfcn.org.
Your voice is helping to increase awareness around how Trusted Adults can support youth mental health and well-being, by encouraging youth to go to a Trusted Adult to ask for help and by encouraging more adults to be there as Trusted Adults.
Your voice is helping to increase awareness around how Trusted Adults can support youth mental health and well-being, by encouraging youth to go to a Trusted Adult to ask for help and by encouraging more adults to be there as Trusted Adults.
Check out this resource for more information about the Trusted Adult Campaign.
Thank YOU for making a difference in your community!
M.A.D. ~ H.O.P.E.
making a difference – helping other people everywhere