The Kansas Partners in Empowering Youth for Suicide Prevention is hosting a Youth Suicide Prevention Art Contest to provide opportunities for youths to let their voices be heard. 

The goal is to raise awareness of the possibility of hope and healing while working to provide enough support to Kansas youth so that no one ever walks alone in crisis. This year, there is an extra focus on 988, the new number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that went live July 16. Dialing 988 from any phone will connect callers to a crisis call center staffed by trained crisis counselors who are prepared to help navigate any mental health concern.  

As students prepare their art submissions this year, they should consider using 988 as a resource to share along with it.  

The deadline for electronic submissions is 9:59 p.m. Sept. 30.  

Submissions can include pictures of physical art, digital art, short videos, posters, drawings and paintings. Submissions must be from students in grades sixth through 12th. Submissions also must include information on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the Crisis Text Line. Local resources also are encouraged but not required.  

Three prizes will be awarded in each age group for a total of nine top prizes. The age groups are sixth and seventh grade, eighth and ninth grade, and 10th-12th grade. The first 100 submissions will receive a participation packet that includes a frameable certificate of participation, a letter from a state official and a swag bag.  

For more information, additional guidelines and to enter, visit Youth Suicide Prevention Art Contest – KSPHQ.