YOUNG people are being urged to get creative to help tackle mental health.

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, which ran from Monday, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Youth Commission is launching an art competition to raise awareness of and to understand perceptions of mental health.

The ‘Draw a line through stigma’ competition will invite young people to create a postcard size image that represents mental health to them.

Michael Asante, from the Youth Commission, said: “To raise awareness of and understand people’s perceptions of mental health, we are asking young people and other members of the community to design a postcard that embodies their perception of mental health."

Michael Lane, police and crime commissioner for Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton, said: “My Youth Commission gives young people a voice, and issues that are important to them whilst also helping to find solutions.

"Through their conversations, they have again told me that mental health is by far the most important issue to young people, regardless of age, area or background.

"This competition will help to raise awareness and I hope attract a wide range of entries that will give additional insight and help lead to better understanding as well as contribute to reducing the stigma associated with mental health.”

The competition is open to anyone up to the age of 25 and entries can be submitted until September 30. Entries should be postcard sized.

All postcard entries will be entered into the competition and have a chance of appearing in an exhibition.

The winning image will be made into a poster that will be used in future work to reduce the stigma of mental health and the artist will win a voucher.

Further details on the competition and entry forms can be downloaded at hampshire-pcc.gov.uk.