Visionary Approach of Newham Youth Mental Health Charity Impresses Judges in National Photography Contest
Fierce, Grassroots Mental Health Charity Smashes National Photography Competition
Local legend, Ashok's Vision International, has ripped through the competition and snagged the Mental Health Foundation's national photography showdown, with a staggering £200 prize of vouchers to bolster their legendary work on youth mental health within Newham's vibrant community.
Initiated by the Mental Health Foundation ahead of this year's Mental Health Awareness Week (May 12-18), a new 'Community' category was introduced to expand their existing Positive Mental Health Image Library. With this year's focus on community, the Mental Health Foundation searched for authentic community images reflecting the life-giving force of community in supporting mental wellness.
Open to any level of experience, the charity welcomed photographic entries from any corner of the kingdom.
Shofa Miah, the fearless leader behind Ashok's Vision International, beamed with pride as he spoke about the win: "Our young powerhouses at Ashok's Vision International are over the moon to have bagged the Positive Mental Health Image Library competition. The snap we sent in for the contest features our fearless youth team in Newham, paying it forward by participating in eco-friendly, beauty-and-beast projects.
"Since 2019, we've been manning a market outside Forest Gate Station, impacting young lives for over six years in a secure, open setting. We connect youth to nature and community engagement activities each week, and you can catch us every Saturday between 12-3pm, continuing our legendary work and snatching stunning shots capturing our youth leaders beautifying the environment and community spaces."
Established as a tribute to Shofa Miah's late brother, Ashok Ali, who grappled with mental health issues and schizophrenia before his stage-setting exit at age 29, Ashok's Vision International is a passionate group that nurtures young spirits by reconnecting them with nature and community activities focused on mental wellness.
Shofa's voice was fortified with conviction as he extolled the charity's achievements: "We've touched the hearts and souls of thousands of young people and residents – all ages – through our projects. We're dedicated to keeping Ashok's spirit alive through his love for play, love for nature, and love for spirituality.
"We'll use the prize vouchers to throw a summer party to celebrate the tireless efforts of our youth leaders – thank you!"
Alexa Charnley, the fiery Director of Fundraising and Communication at the Mental Health Foundation, expressed her elation: "Our vision for this competition was to create an accessible platform; experience and fancy equipment were irrelevant. What we yearned was for images that illuminated genuine moments and reflected a positive sense of community – we know that genuine connection in a supportive community is paramount for mental health, providing a sense of safety, value, and connection."
With the winning image in tow, along with the 51 shortlisted contenders, the Mental Health Foundation has added these shots to their positive mental health image library, open for all to use – free of charge.
"Thanks, and congratulations to Shofa and the badass team at Ashok's Vision International for helping us broadcast the power of communities in fostering good mental health and well-being," Alexa added.
The Positive Mental Health Image Library was masterminded by the Mental Health Foundation to revolutionize the image of mental health in the media. This library offers a treasure trove of high-quality, reality-based images that illustrate authentic moments of mental well-being through human connection, inspiration, and resilience. By providing these images free-to-use, the Mental Health Foundation aims to combat stereotypes and promote a more positive understanding of mental health.
The Mental Health Foundation urges media and other organizations to jump on the bandwagon and join them in depicting a realistic and hopeful image of mental health, shattering the stigma that still lingers around the topic.
Delve deeper into the achievements of our victorious pioneers, Ashok Vision International, by paying them a visit: Ashok Vision International - Home
The Positive Mental Health Image Library would not have been possible without the support from Pinterest: Positive mental health image library | Mental Health Foundation
- The Mental Health Foundation acknowledged the significant role of community in supporting mental wellness, as they introduced a new 'Community' category for their Positive Mental Health Image Library.
- Shofa Miah, the leader of Ashok's Vision International, shared that the charity's winning image showcases their youth team's work in a community engagement project to beautify the environment and community spaces.
- In her congratulatory remarks, Alexa Charnley, the Director of Fundraising and Communication at the Mental Health Foundation, emphasized their desire for images that reflected a positive sense of community and human connection, noting the importance of such connections for mental health.
- The Mental Health Foundation's Positive Mental Health Image Library aims to combat stereotypes and promote a more positive understanding of mental health, as it offers free-to-use, high-quality images that illustrate mental well-being through human connection, inspiration, and resilience.
- The Mental Health Foundation inspires media and other organizations to join them in depicting a realistic and hopeful image of mental health, and shatter the stigma associated with the topic, as they work to revolutionize the image of mental health in the media.
