Magnify Voices Expressive Art Contest Deadline Extended

CONCORD, NH — Magnify Voices Expressive Arts Contest, an initiative of the New Hampshire Children's System of Care has extended the deadline to March 18 for students in 5th through 12th grade, providing two additional weeks to submit expressive art based on their experiences with mental health.

With one in six youth in New Hampshire experiencing a mental health disorder annually, Magnify Voices is in its fourth year of raising awareness and effectuating change to help ensure the social and emotional health of children and youth.

Early intervention for mental health improves outcomes throughout life and an inadequate mental health system negatively impacts individuals, families and communities. According to NAMI, 57% of the 15,000 New Hampshire youth aged 12 to 17 with depression did not receive any care in 2020.

"I know there was a point in time when staying wasn't a realistic thought and there were nights that felt like they could have been your last," said Erin and Amy Murphy who were voted the 2021 People's Choice Winner. "But as time went on, you realize life goes on…I wanted to thank you for getting the help that you needed and deserved. Admitting that you needed help was probably one of the hardest things you’ve ever done but it was so worth it."

At the time of their submission, Erin Murphy was in 10th grade at Windham High School, and her cousin, Amy Murphy was a senior at Salem High School and together they presented their video submission titled "Dear Younger Me."

CSoC started Magnify Voices in 2019 during Children's Mental Health Awareness Month in May to highlight the inadequacies in the system that serves Granite State youth and families in NH. Magnify Voices is part of a larger, national effort to recognize the vital importance of positive mental health for a child's healthy development.

"Last year's submissions were extremely personal and powerful, and epitomized the purpose of why we started Magnify Voices," said Michele Watson, Magnify Voices committee chair and NH Family Network Coordinator at NAMI NH.

"This unique effort gives youth a creative outlet to share their feelings and emotions in a way that is comfortable for them and that they may not be able to express otherwise. Mental health is a very serious issue, and our goal is to build greater awareness for children and youth and create ways that they, in turn, can influence decision-makers to effect change in our state," Watson added.

Submissions for Magnify Voices will be accepted through March 18 and can be in the form of a short film (two minutes or less), an essay or poem (1,000 words or less), or through visual art, song, or sculpture.

Ten finalists will be chosen by a panel of judges and will be declared at a celebration event at the Tupelo Music Hall, in Derry, on May 4 along with the People's Choice Award which will be voted on by the public. In addition to the Celebration Event, work submitted by the students will be displayed at an exhibit at the Jaffrey Civic Center June 6 through July 16 and at other events around the Granite State.