EDRC’s 12th Annual Writing Contest: Be-You-Tiful, Be Free

The Eating Disorders Resource Center and Bring Change to Mind present the 12th annual Be-You-Tiful, Be Free Writing Contest. All students in grades 6-12 are invited to send in a poem or essay that addresses one of the themes related to self-acceptance, mental health, social media, and body image.

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses with the highest mortality rates out of all psychological disorders. Despite the truth, these topics are often stigmatized and misunderstood amongst youth, minimizing conversations and leaving many voices unheard. Thus, the EDRC’s ultimate goal in hosting the writing contest is to provide students the opportunity to share their experiences with mental health and body image, encouraging them to dispel the misconceptions, speak up towards a solution, and seek treatment when needed. The contest’s first-ever partnership with Bring Change to Mind has allowed this event to reach even more students as part of BC2M’s mental health clubs, together shaping a future that is stigma-free.

All entries will be accepted through March 5, 2021, and winners will be announced at the beginning of April. Middle and high school entries will be judged separately, with the top three poems and essays from each category awarded cash prizes of up to $300. Winning selections will also be featured on the EDRC web page. Here is a link to the flyer with more information on how to submit. If you would like to learn more about the contest, please reach out to taylor@edrcsv.org or visit www.edrcsv.org.

About EDRC - Based in Campbell, CA, the mission of the Eating Disorders Resource Center is to raise awareness among physicians, educators and community groups; promote recovery by providing support services including a warm line, weekly online support groups and a comprehensive website; and, advocate for mental health parity and access to insurance coverage. More information is available at www.edrcsv.org or by calling (408) 356-1212.

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