Today, the V Youth Photography Contest has been presented, an initiative aimed at young people between 12 and 17 years old, organized by the Association Salud Mental Almansa Afaenpal.
The event featured a speech by the center’s educator, Alberto López, who emphasized the importance of this activity within the mental health promotion and prevention program. «For us, this is a very special event because we seek not only to promote the creativity of young people but also to raise awareness about mental health problems in adolescence,» explained López. He also highlighted the need to provide young people with tools to manage issues such as anxiety and depression, which are increasingly prevalent at this stage of life.
On the other hand, Marta Sánchez, responsible for the Sensitization program at AFAENPAL, emphasized that this contest not only aims to improve the emotional well-being of adolescents but also to contribute to the elimination of stigma surrounding mental health. «It is essential for mental health to stop being a taboo, and these types of initiatives help us to highlight its importance among young people and the community in general,» she stated.
The Mayor of Almansa, Pilar Callado, expressed her support for the event and thanked AFAENPAL for their work. «As an administration, we believe it is essential to raise awareness about mental health and support younger individuals in this area,» Callado said. She also encouraged adolescents to participate in the contest, highlighting that «it is an opportunity for them to show us their perspective on mental health and, at the same time, contribute to normalizing this topic in society.»
👉The deadline to submit photos is open until May 30th at 11:59 PM. Prizes include a smartwatch and gift vouchers of 50, 40, 30, and 20 euros for the winners. Additionally, special mentions may be awarded to those images that, while not winning, stand out for their artistic value or the message they convey.
The contest is open to young people studying in educational centers in Almansa. As a requirement, participants must have the authorization of their parents or legal guardians to participate.