20 students shortlisted in 2022/23 Frame of Mind photography competition

20 secondary school students are set to have their photographs exhibited after being shortlisted in the Frame of Mind photography competition.

Frame of Mind is an annual competition from Walk in My Shoes (WIMS) which aims to increase mental health awareness and reduce stigma through creative practice.

Having previously been a short film and TikTok competition, this 2022/23 contest marks the first time Frame of Mind has run as a photography competition. Secondary school students across Ireland were invited to submit photographs showing meaningful moments that feel important to them and support their positive wellbeing.

The response has been phenomenal, with more than 130 entries received – the highest ever for Frame of Mind.

Our judges – photographers Ruth Medjber and Marc O’Sullivan, and Director of Services in St Patrick’s Mental Health Services (SPMHS), Tom Maher – selected 20 photographs for the competition shortlist. Each shortlisted entry will be displayed in an exhibition in the Arts Space of St Patrick’s University Hospital in Dublin 8, where service users, staff and visitors will vote for their favourite entries.

The top three entries will be awarded first, second and third place prizes, with these to be announced in early March. The student taking the first place award and their school will both receive a €1,000 prize, while students and schools in second and third place will each get €500 prizes.

Shortlisted entries

The 20 entries on the 2022/23 Frame of Mind competition shortlist are below.

Always Find Time for the Things That Make You Happy

Natalia Kulesza | Youthreach New Ross, Butlersland, New Ross, County Wexford

Change of Focus

Amelie O’Kelly Brown | Kilkenny College, Castlecomer Road, County Kilkenny

Child-Like Wonder

Ava Hutton | Collinstown Park Community College, Neilstown, Clondalkin, Dublin 22

Christmas Lights

Laura Dullea | Coláiste Muire Crosshaven, Crosshaven, County Cork

Field Day

Chloe Ní Cheallaigh | Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach, Asca, Ceatharlach (Askea, County Carlow)

Home

Lucia Gomez Delgado | St Finian's Community College, Swords, County Dublin

Low Sun, Low Tide

Samara Ní­ Bhoghaigh | Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach, Asca, Ceatharlach (Askea, County Carlow)

My Grandfather and I

Daniel O’Sullivan | Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew, Galway

My Happy Place

MJ Dowling | St Kevin's Community College, Dunlavin, County Wicklow

Nature and Humanity

Christopher MacNally | Sutton Park School, St Fintan's Road, Sutton, Dublin 13

Promise of Renewal

Rachel Davis | Our Lady's School, Templeogue Road, Terenure, Dublin 6W

Resetting the Sunset

Róisín Murray | St Mary's Secondary School, Mallow, Cork

Rocking Out

Alix Brady | Collinstown Park Community College, Neilstown, Clondalkin, Dublin 22

Slua Mór | Aviva Stadium

Erik Valentine | Kilkenny College, Castlecomer Road, County Kilkenny

Sunset Wishes

Sydney Sharpe | Kilkenny College, Castlecomer Road, County Kilkenny

The Great Descent

Shane Ryan | St Munchins College, Corbally, Limerick

The Sisters

Fayomade Owoade | Ashbourne Community School, Ashbourne, County Meath

Unconditional Love

Vivien Nesbitt | Sutton Park School, St. Fintan's Road, Sutton, Dublin 13

Waiting

Maria Kryachko | Laurel Hill Coláiste FCJ, Cnoc na Labhras, Limerick City

Wild Life

Shu Wei Zhong | Santa Sabina Dominican College, Greenfield Road, Howth Demesne, Dublin

Awards

WIMS Campaign Manager, Amanda McArdle, says

"We are thrilled with the response to this year’s Frame of Mind competition. Photography can be a great way of capturing moments in life that mean a lot to us, and expressing ourselves creatively can benefit our wellbeing. This came through very strongly in the entries we received, and the standard of photographs is incredible."

She continues: "Students put so much effort, imagination and personality into their entries. We’re looking forward to exhibiting the shortlisted photos and celebrating in the Frame of Mind awards in the weeks ahead. We’d like to thank and congratulate every student and school who took part for helping to bring more awareness to mental health and wellbeing”.