MARQUETTE – West End Suicide Prevention is holding the LIVE Art & Word Contest as a way to help break the stigma surround mental health issues and suicide, as well as showcasing the talents of high school students from across the Upper Peninsula.

Entries are being accepted now for the contest, which runs through Friday, Nov. 17. It is open to all high school students across the U.P., whether they are doing in-person school, taking part in virtual classroom or home schooling. Students may submit, poetry, paintings, photography, song, graphic arts, quilting, or any other art form that addresses the theme of Mental Health Awareness.

Each piece of artwork will be judged by West End Suicide Prevention, as well as an expert panel. There will also be a chance for community members to vote for their favorite piece via Facebook. The first place winner will receive $500, second place $300 and third place $100. The sponsors include West End Health Foundation, as well as UP Home Health & Hospice and Great Lakes Recovery Centers, Inc.

West End Suicide Prevention is a dedicated group committed to reducing suicide and is facilitated by Great Lakes Recovery Centers. They introduced the LIVE campaign, a positive mental health campaign, on the west end of Marquette County in the fall of 2019.

Due to popular demand, the campaign is currently making its way across the Upper Peninsula. LIVE, which rhymes with “give,” stands for LOVE (yourself), INCLUDE (others), VALUE (life), ENGAGE (community). The LIVE Art & Word Contest is the group’s latest way to engage the community and help break the stigma surrounding mental health.

For more information on the LIVE Art & Word Contest and to find the rules and entry forms, go to www.glrc.org/LIVE . If you have a background in art, music or English and would like to be a part of the expert panel, contact Amy Poirier at apoirier@greatlakesrecovery.org. If you would like to sponsor this contest or other programs of West End Suicide Prevention, contact Amy Poirier at apoirier@greatlakesrecovery.org.