The Wellness Waves Foundation, a leading non-profit organization focused on youth mental health advocacy, has officially announced the launch of its much-anticipated national youth theme song competition, aiming to channel young people’s creative energy into conversations around emotional well-being.
Open to all aspiring musicians, lyricists and composers aged 14 to 24 across the country, the competition calls for original entries that center on the experiences, hopes and challenges of growing up in today’s fast-paced, digitally connected world. Organizers note that the initiative was developed in response to rising concerns about adolescent anxiety and social disconnection, which have intensified in the years following global public health disruptions.
“Young people have so much untapped creative voice that often goes unheard,” said Maria Hale, executive director of Wellness Waves Foundation, in a press briefing this Wednesday. “This competition isn’t just about picking the best song—it’s about giving young creators a platform to talk about what matters to them, and to connect with peers through shared experience.”
Winners of the competition will receive a $5,000 cash grant for their artistic development, a professional studio recording session for their winning track, and the opportunity to perform the song at the foundation’s annual national youth wellness summit this coming fall. A panel of respected musicians, mental health experts and youth advocates will judge entries based on originality, thematic alignment, emotional resonance and artistic execution.
Submissions opened on Monday and will close on August 15, with finalists announced in mid-September. The foundation has already partnered with 12 secondary schools and 8 post-secondary institutions across the country to promote the competition and encourage participation from underrepresented creative youth groups. Local community arts organizations have also signed on to host regional informational workshops for interested participants who lack access to professional music training.
Mental health researcher Dr. Lena Torres, who is serving as an advisory judge for the competition, emphasized that creative expression has long been proven to support emotional processing for young people. “When teens and young adults turn their feelings into art, it helps them process their own struggles and lets others know they aren’t alone,” Dr. Torres explained. “This kind of initiative fills a gap between traditional mental health outreach and the everyday ways young people connect.”