Anything to promote the awareness of the work of mental health charities is worth an airing, and this is even photography-related!
Press release: 24 February 2025
Putting good mental health in the frame
Charity launches photography competition to find images of community from across the UK
The Mental Health Foundation is inviting people across the UK to take part in a photography competition to celebrate the launch of the new ‘Community’ category in its Positive Mental Health Image Library.
Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week (12-18 May), which this year is focused on community, the charity is seeking photographs that reflect the power of community to support good mental health. Being part of a supportive community is essential for mental health, helping people feel safe, valued, and connected.
The charity welcomes submissions from everyone, regardless of photography experience or equipment. What matters most is capturing an authentic moment that reflects a positive sense of community.
People are invited to submit their own high-quality, high-resolution images to be added to the library and be available for use by media and other organisations to illustrate mental health. A selection panel will shortlist the most impactful images, with members of the charity’s Personal Experience Network voting for their favourite. The winning photographer will receive £200 in high street vouchers. To be considered, Community images must be submitted by 21 March 2025.
Alexa Charnley, Director of Fundraising and Communications at the Mental Health Foundation, said: “We know that the images we see every day help shape the way we think about mental health. Too often, images reinforce negative stereotypes and focus only on poor mental health. By sharing photographs of real moments of connection, resilience, and wellbeing, we hope the Positive Mental Health Image Library can help shift the narrative and promote a more positive and empowering understanding of mental wellbeing.
“We are particularly excited to launch this new Community category of the library as that is also the theme we have chosen for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week. We want to celebrate the power of our communities to support good mental health and wellbeing.”
The Positive Mental Health Image Library is an initiative by the Mental Health Foundation designed to transform the way mental health is portrayed in the media. The library provides a collection of high-quality, positive, and authentic images that depict real people engaging in activities that support their mental wellbeing. By offering these images for free use, the charity hopes to promote a more hopeful and accurate representation of mental health.
The Positive Mental Health Image Library was made possible thanks to funding from Pinterest.
As well as the new Community category, the collection includes images portraying Nature, Connection, Creativity, Movement, and Workplace, each showcasing the everyday ways people can nurture their mental wellbeing.
To enter the competition people are invited to submit their images to the Positive Mental Health Image Library by 21 March 2025. The winning image along with the finalists will be uploaded to the free-to-use image library.
For full terms and conditions and to enter the competition visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk/get-involved/mental-health-image-library
ENDS