The National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) recently announced the winners of their Speaking Up About Mental Health national essay challenge, which was designed to spur conversations about mental health and encourage youth to seek help for mental health issues. Ten winners and two honorable mentions were selected from among more than 160 teens from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico who opened up the conversation about the impact of mental illness among teens, barriers faced when seeking treatment, and innovative approaches to overcoming those barriers. 

To read the essays from the challenge winners, click here.