Turn what you've lived through into something someone else needs to read.
An annual advocacy programme organised by the Jude Mental Health Society. Open to everyone. Blind-judged. Published to a permanent digital library so the writing keeps working long after the competition ends.
Submissions are open now. The portal closes at 23:59 WAT on 13 September 2026.
- Launch
- 7 August 2026
- Deadline
- 13 September 2026
- Winners announced
- 27 September 2026
- Publication
- Week following the announcement
Using the Power of Words to Promote Mental Health and Prevent Suicide
A theme is not a prompt — it's a compass. We're looking for writing that treats mental health with honesty and care. Write towards what changes when the silence breaks.
What this competition is trying to do.
- Promote conversations about mental health.
- Encourage empathy and compassion.
- Reduce stigma.
- Inspire hope.
- Encourage creative expression.
- Build a permanent digital library of mental health writings on the JMHS website.
Nine ways to write. Choose the one your voice fits best.
Submit an original work in any format below. Every category is capped at 2 pages except Short Story, which allows up to 8 pages. Documents must be .doc, .docx, or PDF.
- CategoryEssayMax 2 pages
- CategoryPoetryMax 2 pages
- CategorySpoken Word ScriptMax 2 pages
- CategoryShort StoryMax 8 pages
- CategoryPersonal ReflectionMax 2 pages
- CategoryLetterMax 2 pages
- CategoryCreative Non-fictionMax 2 pages
- CategoryInspirational WritingMax 2 pages
- CategoryAny other original literary formatMax 2 pages
The rules are short. Read them twice.
Not following these is the most common reason an otherwise excellent entry is disqualified.
- 01Each participant may submit one entry only.
- 02Your entry must be your own original work — no plagiarism, no AI-only writing passed off as your own.
- 03Written in English.
- 04Relates to this year's theme.
- 05Has a unique title.
- 06Contains no participant name or any identifying information inside the manuscript file.
- 07Contains nothing offensive, discriminatory, or hateful.
- 08Does not promote self-harm or suicide as a solution.
- 09All categories except Short Story are max 2 pages. Short Story is max 8 pages.
- 10Submitted as a Word document (.doc / .docx) or PDF.
How the submission works — and how we keep it fair.
- 01Your written work — the manuscript itself, containing no identifying information.
- 02A separate registration form — your name, contact details, and demographics.
- 03Your consent — whether we may publish your entry on the JMHS website.
- 04The writing itself stays anonymous throughout judging.
Every entry is scored on four things.
Judges receive only your title and content — never your identity. Maximum score: 100.
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Relevance to Theme | 40% |
| Originality | 30% |
| Clarity and Structure | 20% |
| Emotional Impact | 10% |
| Total | 100% |
Recognition, publication, a lasting byline.
- Winner
- First Runner-up
- Second Runner-up
- Honourable Mentions
- Digital certificate of participation for every entrant
Specific cash and gift prizes are announced by the Organising Committee before each year's competition opens.
The competition doesn't end at the announcement.
- Entries where the author consents will be published on the JMHS website.
- Each entry gets its own permanent page — title, content, publication date, moderated comments, and share options.
- Authors retain copyright. Consenting to publication grants JMHS a non-exclusive licence to publish and archive the work for advocacy and educational purposes.
What we ask of every entrant.
Breaking any of these may result in disqualification.
- Respect others.
- Submit truthful and original work.
- Avoid plagiarism.
- Promote hope and responsible mental health conversations.
The questions we hear most.
Who can enter?+
Open to everyone — regardless of age, profession, or educational background. There are no fees. Non-Nigerians are welcome to enter.
How is judging done?+
Every entry is judged blind — your identity is removed at the moment your submission is imported. Judges receive only the title and content of each entry, and score each on the four criteria below with a documented tie-break process.
How and when will I know if I've won?+
Winners are contacted privately before the public announcement, which happens live at our September Monthly Mental Health Lecture on 27 September 2026. All shortlisted authors are told the outcome regardless of placement.
Will my entry be published?+
Only if you consent. Publication is opt-in. If you consent, your entry gets its own permanent page on this site — with moderated comments and share options — and you can choose whether it appears under your name or anonymously. You can change your mind up to the announcement date.
Who owns the writing?+
You do. Copyright stays with the author. Consenting to publication grants JMHS a non-exclusive licence to publish and archive the work for advocacy and educational purposes — nothing more.
Are there prizes?+
Winner, First Runner-up, Second Runner-up, and Honourable Mentions each year. Every entrant receives a digital certificate of participation. Cash and gift prizes are announced by the Organising Committee before the competition opens each year.
Submit your entry to the 2026 JMHS National Writing Competition.
Submissions are handled through our secure Sculptform portal. Deadline: 13 September 2026 at 23:59 WAT.
The people running this year's competition.
For competition enquiries, please use our contact form and select "Writing Competition".