NIH announces high school essay contest winners

The NIH today is announcing 10 winners of a high school essay contest to get teens to speak more openly about mental illness and seek support for themselves and others. The NIH and the Calvin J. Li Memorial Foundation — which was set up to help support first-generation Asian American children — asked teens ages 16-18 to share their experiences with mental illness and outline innovative approaches to reducing stigma. The winners were selected from 160 entries that came in from 38 states and Puerto Rico, and essay topics include integrating mental health into high school curricula and improving treatment among the African American community. The winners will receive an undisclosed cash prize, and two honorable mention winners will also be receiving gift certificates.