New for 2009, the One Book, One Community partnership will have an essay contest in which applicants discuss Hurry Down Sunshine and ways in which the Danbury/WestConn community promotes or could promote awareness of mental health issues. There are three categories: Danbury High School student, WCSU student, and community adult (age 18 and over and not a student at DHS or WCSU). A $200 cash prize for the winning essay in each category will be awarded. Winners will also join Michael Greenberg for dinner on October 28.

Essays may be up to 1,000 words and must be received no later than October 1.

If you like, you may refer to, but are not limited to:

• Your own personal experience or the experience of your friends and/or family
• Issues in everyday life that have significant positive or negative effect on mental health
• Mental health issues for high school or college students
• Effects of peer pressure on mental health
• Dangers and threats of the economic downturn to mental health
• Stigma against mental health awareness and treatment
• Impact of individual mental health issues on wider communities
• The many aspects of “treatment”

Download entry form (in PDF) or submit your entry online.