Healing Minds 5000 Scholarship Award
The 2025 Mental Health Essay Competition is inspired by the ongoing Healing Minds 5000 Campaign, launched at the Queen’s Ball 2025. This year’s competition builds on the voices, stories, and experiences shared by students across Uganda gathered during our National Secondary School Tour. The aim is to continue empowering young people to speak openly about mental health, reduce stigma in their communities, and contribute to a culture of understanding and healing.
Theme
“My Mental Health Journey: Understanding My Struggles and Becoming a Champion for Change.”
This year’s theme asks participants to reflect deeply on:
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Their personal mental health experiences.
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Factors that have shaped or challenged their well-being.
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How cultural, social, or family expectations influence young people’s ability to seek help.
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Ways to eliminate or reduce stigma around mental health.
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How they, as young people, can become mental health champions in their schools and communities.
Eligibility
Age Group: 13–19 years (Secondary school students)
Participants must be:
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Ugandan citizens.
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Currently enrolled in a secondary school, vocational institution, or equivalent learning environment
Submission Guidelines
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Essays must be 800–1,200 words.
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Submissions must be in English.
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Essays must be original and not previously published.
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Submissions should include:
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Full name
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Age
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School or institution
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Class/year level
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District
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Contact details (student and guardian)
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Essays will be submitted through the official NNWF website submission portal
Judging Criteria
Essays will be evaluated based on:
1. Authenticity & Personal Insight
2. Understanding of Mental Health
3. Creativity & Originality
4. Clarity & Structure
5. Grammar & Language
Prizes
A total of UGX 6,000,000 will be awarded.
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1st Prize: UGX 3,000,000
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2nd Prize: UGX 2,000,000
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3rd Prize: UGX 1,000,000
Prize winners will also receive recognition at an NNWF public event and be featured on official NNWF platforms. Outstanding essays will be published on the website.
Key Dates
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Competition Launch: 1st December 2025
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Submission Deadline: 1st February 2026
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Judging Period: 9th February - 9th March 2026
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Winners Announced: 1st April 2026
Essay Prompt
Participants must respond to the following:
“Share your personal mental health story or experience. What challenges have you faced, and what do you believe contributed to them? How are you coping or finding support? In your view, what prevents young people from speaking openly about mental health or seeking help? Finally, what can YOU do to reduce stigma and become a mental health champion among your peers and in your community?”
Essays should:
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Answer all the questions in the prompt
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Be authentic, reflective, and grounded in personal perspective.
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Offer innovative ideas to remove, reduce, or lower mental health barriers among young people.
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Suggest practical changes in school policies or practices that could strengthen mental health support.
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Identify key areas of concern affecting individuals and their communities.
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Demonstrate understanding of mental health in Ugandan cultural and social contexts.
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Show clarity, empathy, and insight.