Essay Contest

Why People fear Mental Illness?

Dear Participant: We greatly appreciate your enthusiasm in taking part on this contest to improve knowledge and eliminate stigma on mental illness. The purpose of this contest is to educate the community about mental illness. With your point of view, we would like to show our community that mental illness is as common as having allergies. We hope that people will understand that having a mental illness is no reason to feel ashamed, embarrassed, and most important not a reason to avoid seeking professional help. Essay: The essay must be 3-5 pages long, double-spaced, 12-point font size (Times New Roman or Palatino). The front page must include, your name, age, school, school grade, phone number, date of birth, and e-mail address. For participants under 18 years of age by 10/11/14, must include name and contact information of the parent/legal guardian. It must include at least 3 references (from a book or a journal; NOT a website). It must have: a) Introduction; b) Examples of how stigma can negatively affect people; c) Proposed solutions to reduce stigma and improve early treatment of mental disorders.

Scoring: The essay will be reviewed and evaluated by faculty from the Department of Psychology at San Diego State University and the University of California, Los Angeles as well as faculty from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego. Grading will be based on content, grammar, and how rational your proposed solution stands. Prize: High School students: o 1st place Plaque and $150 o 2nd place Plaque and $100 o 3rd place Plaque College students: o 1st place Plaque and $250 o 2nd place Plaque and $200 o 3rd place - Plaque

Submit your essay: Once completed submit via e-mail to sv14contest@gmail.com You will receive a return/confirmation e-mail that you must keep for your records. Deadline: The deadline to submit your essay is Sept 1st, 2014. Prizes will be awarded on Oct 11th, during our grand celebration at Sun Valley Plaza.