Mental Health Matters Poster Campaign
Mental Health Awareness Through Art
World Mental Health Day 2025
Campaign Overview: A National Movement for Mental Health Awareness
The National World Mental Health Day Poster Campaign - now in it's second year - represents a ground breaking collaboration between Mental Health Matters and An Post, creating Ireland's most inclusive creative initiative dedicated to mental health awareness.
But this campaign goes far beyond a single partnership.
Our campaign thrives through strategic partnerships with leading mental health organisations across Ireland, ensuring our message stays relevant and impactful for every community we serve: because mental health affects literally everyone, our approach brings together diverse voices and expertise to create a truly comprehensive awareness initiative.
Our 2025 National Partners Include:
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An Post - National distribution and visibility partner
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Nua Healthcare Services - Our amazing Campaign Headline Sponsor
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HSE Office for Human Rights and Equality Policy - Dignity and equality guidance
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Samaritans - Crisis support and prevention expertise
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Mental Health Reform - Advocacy and systemic change leadership
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Suicide or Survive - Lived experience and recovery perspectives
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This partnership harnesses the power of community creativity and national reach to spark meaningful conversations that matter.
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This campaign was born from a deep, personal place - a genuine desire to get people talking more openly about mental health. I’ve seen the power of simple, honest conversations to break through shame and silence. And I believe, with all my heart, that if we can normalise talking about mental health, we can help people reach out for support earlier and feel less alone.
I wanted to create something that feels warm, welcoming and real - something that brings people together, no matter their background or experience. A space that is inclusive, accessible, creative and, most of all, human. Because the truth is, we all have mental health. And we should all feel able to talk about it.
This isn’t just a poster competition. It’s a chance to connect, to be part of something meaningful, and to spark change - in our workplaces, in our communities, in our country. When we lift the lid on these conversations, we create room for empathy, understanding and hope. And that’s where real change begins.
A note from Barbara Brennan on this campaign
The commitment to this campaign runs deep.
Our 2024 partners demonstrated the power of collective action, creating a foundation of trust and impact that continues to grow:
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Mental Health Commission - Regulatory oversight and standards
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Spun Out - Youth engagement and digital outreach
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First Fortnight Mental Health Arts Festival - Creative expression and community connection
This level of sustained partnership commitment proves that Ireland's mental health community is united in creating lasting change.
2025: Amplifying Every Voice That Matters
This year's campaign places inclusion at its heart, with dedicated categories ensuring no voice goes unheard:
✨ Schools - Nurturing young minds and early awareness
✨ Universities - Supporting transition-age mental health
✨ Disability - Creating accessibility for those with additional barriers
✨ Workplaces - Creating mentally healthy work environments
✨ Communities - Building local support networks
The results speak volumes: We've seen a remarkable increase in youth engagement this year, reflecting the critical role younger voices play in shaping Ireland's mental health future. Now more than ever, it's vital that young people feel empowered to raise their voices, share their stories, and take their rightful place in creating positive change.
More than a Campaign: A Movement
When you witness the official launch of our 5 winning posters, you're not just seeing creative work. You're witnessing the power of community creativity, demonstrating support for mental health policy leadership, and helping amplify youth perspectives on a national stage.
This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger than yourself - a national movement that proves mental health matters to everyone, everywhere.
Event Information
This year's campaign places inclusion at its heart, with dedicated categories ensuring no voice goes unheard:
✨ Date - Thursday September 25th
✨ Time - 10am - 12pm
✨ Location - Dublin City Council's iconic Wood Quay Venue
✨ Details - Music, light refreshments, Keynote speeches, spoken word, and the unveiling of the winning designs - with free copies of the posters and postcards available for attendees on the day!
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This Year's Winners!
Take a closer look at last year's standout designs and delve into the compelling stories of inspiration behind each piece.
Workplace Category Winner - Eimear McDonagh
My design reflects how connecting with nature nourishes the mind, but it also symbolises how a person can thrive in a nurturing environment. Leaving a turbulent home when I was 16 left me struggling with my mental health and my self-worth. The isolation impacted my potential and my growth. In later years I sought help, and it changed my life. My happiest childhood memories are of being out in nature with my grandfather, and how the solace provided me with positive emotions. Seasons change and turbulent times pass, and support, care and guidance allowed me to heal, grow and flourish
Community Category Winner - Lorna Quinn
I wanted to create a poster that depicted how lonely, painful, dark and isolating it can feel when experiencing the harsh, hard, unrelenting and unkind inner demons that can take away the colour, joy, spontaneity and sheer enjoyment from life. The central figure in the picture is looking on in envy at the colourful world taking place around them; the musicians playing music, the couple dancing, the friends chatting, the romantic connection on the bench, the neighbours talking and the house being sold. Such is the power and constant hold of the inner critics for this central figure, they cannot imagine being part of such a carefree, fun-filled and expressive colourful world. Their heart is sad, their whole being is hurting, and their mind is plagued with the weight of self-criticism. The weather patterns in both worlds convey the contrast of emotions felt also. The sunshine and warmth felt in the colourful community conveys ease, presence, connection and friendship, whereas the lightning streak, clouds, rain and coldness represent the central figures inner storm and turbulence felt within. It can be so hard to articulate accurately in words the many thoughts / feelings / fears / worries and concerns carried within. This poster competition was a wonderful creative opportunity to personally express what life can look like from the eyes of someone who is struggling under the clouds and feeling the weight and darkness of an inner storm.
Disability Poster Winner - Samantha Mulligan
I designed this because I have disabilities, and I believe people with disabilities need hope. That it can also mean people with mental health issues can have hope that they can overcome come anything. It's about hope in life even though we struggle with our mental health and believe that there is hope. The flowers signify the people in our lives that love us care for us and want to help, and that we’re not alone in struggling with our mental health.
University Category Winner - Yevis Gallagher
This work isn't just art: it's a reminder to breathe, feel, and move forward, no matter how dark the past seems.
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The sun represents the journey from darkness to light, from despair to new beginnings, and a path to hope.
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The butterfly represents hope, freedom, strength, and the support of community organisations that help people rise and move forward with dignity as human beings.
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The palm tree from Venezuela: A symbol of resilience for my family, my roots, and the unwavering strength they have given me; a reminder that, even far from home, I must remain strong like the trunk of the tree; I am not alone.
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The Caribbean Sea and Donegal reflect movement and healing; it teaches me to keep flowing, like water. We must keep moving forward. The white path represents the Wild Atlantic Way in Donegal, a symbol of freedom and exploration. Leading to peace, courage, and discovery.
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The camera symbolises the importance of perceiving beauty in nature, sound, air, and most of all, in art.
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The heart symbolises the pure love of our loved ones, including our pets, a love that asks for nothing in return but gives us the strength to carry on
School Category Winner - Faye O’Sullivan
I would like my poster to encourage people to think before they speak. Words can be damaging and can cause pain. Everyone takes insults differently. Some might shrug it off while others take their toll. Some people are better at hiding their emotions which, I think, probably isn’t good. You can only cram a few things into a tight space. Once there’s too much, they burst out in a flood. It could be a flood of tears, a rush of anger or a wave of fear. You can sink to the bottom or you can swim above it. Remember, choose your words wisely.
Highly Commended - Mary Orlva
Hi! I’m Mary and I’m 9 years old. I love animals and love drawing — these are the things that make me happy! In my drawing, I painted a cute hamster doing yoga on a blue mat. 🐹♀️ 💙
I chose this because yoga helps people feel calm, strong, and happy inside. I do little yoga stretches when I feel upset or when my head is full of too many thoughts.
The hamster is sitting in a peaceful pose, with little paws together, like he’s saying: “Everything is okay.” I want everyone to know that doing yoga or just stopping for a quiet moment can really help your mental health — even if you're small and fluffy like my hamster!
Love, Mary
Last Year's Winners!
Take a closer look at last year's standout designs and delve into the compelling stories of inspiration behind each piece.
University Poster - Shaunna Byrne
When I was around 15 or 16, I went through a dark period, feeling overwhelmed and lost. I would sit by the water, contemplating my life and seeking an escape from my pain. Fast forward nearly ten years, and that same water has become my sanctuary, a place where I find peace and solace. On days when I feel down, it’s my refuge. This painting represents my journey and highlights the importance of mental health.
School Poster - Jessie Dilleen
My concept is that everyone has different ways of looking after their mental health so I drew a range of people and the things that they do to stay well; like baking, journaling, art, sport etc. I also feel like with mental health everyone is stronger together and life is always better with a pet! The first letter of each of the characters names spells.
Workplace Poster - Niamh Healy Moore
I love 20th century abstract art and took inspiration from Wassily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian and Picasso to create this poster submission. I wanted to create a thought provoking composition for the poster design, to create conversation and debate. The composition is absolutely open to many interpretations. What I see, is the fast paced and sometimes relentless motion of work and life in the composition. With a balanced, symmetrical focal point, catching and segmenting tasks or dropping tasks, even if they are incomplete.
Community Poster - Caroline Morgan
I am a 29 year old artist and art teacher. My sister is a mental health nurse and so this issue is always at the forefront of my mind and I base a lot of projects off of it. I wanted to use colours I found symbolic of depression and mentally tough times combined with lighter colours that express hope. I used idea of hands reaching from the depths towards hope, while the shades of blue decrease as they close the distance to the hopeful future.