THE borough’s mental health chiefs have launched an annual art competition for people with experiences of mental health issues.

Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust is inviting residents to submit an entry into the Dawn Jones Art Prize 2015.

Now in its second year of being hosted by the trust, the competition was set up by Maureen Jones nine years ago in memory of her daughter Dawn.

Dawn tragically committed suicide in 2005, at the age of 25, following a long battle with depression.

Maureen said: “It has been very rewarding to hear so many people say things like they had given up art when they were ill, but that the Dawn Jones Art Prize had inspired them to start getting involved in artwork again.”

Entries into two categories – ‘what makes me happy’ and ‘what I am hopeful for’ – are invited from anyone with experience of mental ill-health, whether that’s personal experience of problems, caring for someone with problems or working in the area.

Gary Graham, chief executive of the trust, said: “We’re really pleased to be supporting this competition for the second time. Last year’s competition had a great response, and we’re hoping we’ll get even more entrants this year.

“Art can be therapeutic for many people, so we’d like to encourage anyone – from beginners to those who are more experienced – to enter the competition and help raise awareness around mental health.”

The two winners will receive £100 in vouchers of their choice, along with the opportunity for their work to be displayed long-term in a public building.

Entries – from borough residents over the age of 18 – need to be submitted before the deadline of 5pm on September 1, while the full competition guidelines can be found at www.dwmh.nhs.uk/artprize