Massachusetts Middle and High School Students Use Creativity to Spark Mental Health Conversations – 2025 Contest Winners Revealed

The Massachusetts Association for Mental Health (MAMH) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 “Mental Health Matters: Student Expression Contest” to promote youth mental health. This year’s artists used abstract forms and ideas (plus color!) to express different emotions and the journey toward mental well being.

Students won prizes for their creative expression of ways they maintain their own mental health, how friends and family lend a helping hand, and how to support a friend or family member going through a challenging time.

“Reviewing submissions for our annual Student Expression Contest is always an eye-opening experience,” said MAMH President and CEO Danna Mauch. “Through poetry, digital art, and other mediums, students across the Commonwealth share what is in their hearts and on their minds. Students are teaching us about how they process and express emotions, how they support others, and how they speak honestly about mental health challenges. We are inspired by their stories, insights, and expressions to dig deeper to advocate for programs and funding that support student mental health.”

The winners of this year’s contest are:

Artistic Still – Middle School

1^st Place: Ryhanna Murphy* (Douglas Middle School)

2^nd Place: Tenley Hipp* (Douglas Middle School - Oxford)

3^rd Place: Mackenzie Matthews (Uxbridge Middle School)

Written – Middle School

1^st Place: Haru Peters (Cameron Middle School – Framingham)

2^nd Place: Rama Abdelgalil (Hopkins Academy – Amherst)

3^rd Place: Rosa Dominguez Ramirez (Hadley Middle School – Belchertown)

Visual – Middle School

1^st Place: Ethan Villanueva (Hopkins Academy – South Hadley)

Artistic Still – High School

1^st Place: Jachia Brownlee (Keough Memorial Academy – Bellingham)

2^nd Place: Erika Durbin* (Brookline High School)

3^rd Place: Alaina Miller (Uxbridge High School)

Written – High School

1^st Place: Kai Pichardo* (Ayer Shirley Regional High School - Ayer)

2^nd Place: Amelia Santos (Bard Academy at Simmon’s Rock - Pittsfield)

3^rd Place: Sadie Roberts (Littleton High School)

*Members of the media: These students do not consent to being represented by the media in print, digital, or other formats. Please list them as “an anonymous student” in lieu of their names or any other identifying characteristics. Please do not share, reprint, or distribute their artwork in any way.

MAMH have been engaged for more than 100 years in advocacy to increase understanding, eliminate stigma, and improve support for people with mental health needs. Check back next spring for details on the contest, submission guidelines, and other information on how to participate.