AWARE launch ‘Express Yourself’ mental health poetry competition

The collaboration was announced on Joel M’s Instagram account to his 166,000 followers before Christmas, with the star sporting the campaign branded hoodie ‘Express Yourself’, talking about his passion for good mental health and the practice of mindfulness.

He is followed by seven million people on TikTok and has his own show on BBC called ‘Life is Magic’ making him one of the most famous people in the North right now.

AWARE has since flooded their social media and website with details and fantastic imagery about the campaign called ‘Express yourself’ a children’s mental health poetry competition. They shout of the charity’s dreams and values fuelling the competition and their excitement to have Joel M to be the face of it.

Said a spokesperson: “AWARE dreams of a future where mental health is a topic that can be discussed openly without stigma. How? Let’s start with normalising the conversation with our children now!”

Karen Collins, Chief Executive, AWARE, added: “AWARE is excited to announce that on children’s mental health week this February we are launching ‘Express Yourself’- a children’s mental health poetry competition. This is a creative way to allow our children the freedom to debrief on life during a pandemic. And to allow us, and the adults in their lives, the education of seeing it from their perspective.

“AWARE hopes that this will start many conversations on mental health in classrooms and at home so that our children can grow up knowing that they can talk freely about what is going on inside their minds at all times. Good or bad. We hope this campaign will add value to all of our lives. The competition is to run throughout the month of February and the winning poem will be picked by the star magician.

“We are so thrilled to have Joel M on board with us. He is a fantastic young role model for the future generation.”

The winners will appear Joel’s socials in front of millions of people whilst he teaches them some magic tricks, and the winning schools are in for a performance by the star magician at their own assembly!

AWARE has also promised to deliver for free six-week mindfulness course called ‘paws b’ to the top two winning classes, demonstrating their dedication to meeting the mental health need of this young generation! All of that on top of branded hoodies, amazon vouchers and much more.

If you are a principal, or a teacher of Primary Six or Seven students? Email [email protected] to register your interest.