Attitudes In Reverse® Seeks Design Concepts to Help Communicate the Importance of Receiving Mental Health Care and Preventing Suicide
Contest Offers I-Pad as First Prize, to Be Awarded at Annual Event on
May 20, 2017
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY (February 4, 2017) –Attitudes In Reverse® (AIR™) is pleased to announce its seventh Annual T-Shirt Design Concept Contest and is eager to receive students’ creative ideas for communicating the importance of seeking help for mental health disorders. AIR is a Princeton, NJ based nonprofit organization dedicated to educating middle school, high school and college students about mental health, related disorders and suicide prevention. Students are the main target audience because 50 percent of mental health disorders develop by the age of 14 and two-thirds of disorders develop by the age of 25. AIR aims to eliminate stigma, fear and embarrassment about mental health disorders so that individuals who experience symptoms can recognize them and be comfortable seeking help to prevent the disorders from interfering with their lives.
“We started the Annual T-Shirt Design Concept Contest in 2009 to raise students’ awareness of mental health and suicide prevention. When students wear the shirts featuring designs inspired by the contestants, they will spark important conversations. A student would ask about AIR and the conversation would naturally lead to more awareness, which, in turn, leads to a much greater likelihood that the student will pay attention to signs of mental health disorders in himself and others and take steps to get help when needed,” said Tricia and Kurt Baker, Co-founders of AIR.
“Even before the winning design concepts are selected, the contest helps build awareness by engaging students in developing creative ways to communicate our message. We strongly encourage health and art instructors, as well as other teachers and schools’ administrative staff, to invite students to participate in this contest. Students are the best resources for learning how to best communicate to them and their peers, and this contest is an excellent way to foster this essential communication,” added Shauna Moses, a member of AIR’s Board of Directors.
Entries into AIR’s Annual T-Shirt Design Concept Contest are due March 3, 2017. Entry forms are available online. All contestants will be recognized during the Sixth Annual Miki & Friends Walk & Run for AIR event on May 20, 2017 at Mercer County Park, East Picnic Area, West Windsor, NJ. Prizes will be an iPad for first place and a $50 gift card for second place. The designs inspired by the winning concepts will be printed on T-shirts that the contestants and all volunteers will receive and will also be available to event attendees who donate $50 or more. The designs will also be featured on AIR’s website, www.attitudesinreverse.org.
The Annual T-Shirt Design Concept Contest is AIR’s first initiative, which has led to other programs that have become more well-known and in greater demand as mental health struggles are common and, due to lack of education and treatment, have led to the loss of numerous young people’s lives. To date, AIR has educated more than 50,000 students in middle schools, high schools and colleges, primarily throughout New Jersey and in several states. Its Annual Miki & Friends Walk & Run for AIR™ event has consistently attracted more than 600 attendees. For more information about the annual event and educational program, please see the Programs tab on www.attitudesinreverse.org.
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Attitudes In Reverse® (AIR™) was established by Tricia, Kurt and Katelyn Baker of Plainsboro, NJ, in 2010, soon after their son/brother Kenny died by suicide following a long battle against severe depression and anxiety. Their mission is to save lives by educating students about mental health, related disorders and suicide prevention. Since January 2011, they have presented to more than 50,000 students in middle and high schools and colleges in New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Missouri and Texas. AIR also offers Youth Mental Health First Aid instruction and includes the AIR Dogs: Paws for Minds™ program, bringing dogs into schools to help students de-stress and engage in the conversation about mental health. In addition, displaced dogs with the ability to serve as Emotional Support Dogs, are matched with individuals who have mental health disorders or developmental disabilities, thereby saving two lives with each match. For more information about AIR™, please visit www.attitudesinreverse.org or call 609-945-3200.
