ASSOCIATION OF ELDERLY RIGHTS & MENTAL HEALTH LAUNCHES 4. ‘SILENT SCREAM’ LETTER COMPETITION

Wednesday, 19 April 2023 – The Association of Elderly Rights & Mental Health is launching its fourth ‘Silent Scream’ Letter Competition.
The annual competition aims to raise awareness of the problems and needs of elderly people, and patients with mental health conditions; to increase their visibility in the community and to promote their rights. Participants are invited to write a letter about their experiences – or another person’s – relating to mental illness and/or elderly life.
Sponsored by Albank Ltd. and Asbank Ltd., entries will be accepted until 30 May, 2023, and cash prizes of 5,000TL, 4,000TL and 3,000TL will be awarded to the top three entrants.

Association Chairperson Prof. Dr. Hatice Jenkins said:
“In February our whole worlds changed and we as a community went into deep mourning following the tragic loss of lives in the earthquake in Turkey. We convey our deepest regrets and our sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.
This had a huge impact on our mental health and we learned the importance of checking up on each other and providing moral support. Two months on, the wounds are nowhere near healed and many of us will never be the same as before.
This year our Silent Scream Letter Competition provides an opportunity for people to share their emotions and experiences; express themselves by putting these on to paper.
Research shows that writing about traumatic, stressful or emotional events has been found to result in improvements in both physical and psychological health.
Our competition provides a private platform for people to make their voices heard and no longer scream in silence. If you are suffering or have suffered from a mental illness, or you are watching your loved ones suffer, or you have experienced or observed elderly neglect or abuse, or have had problems trying to care for elderly relatives, you are not alone. I invite you to share your stories and help raise awareness.
Thank you to our loyal sponsors Albank Ltd. and Asbank Ltd. for their invaluable contributions to this project,” she added.

Letters must be at least 250 words long, contain their name – or pseudonym – and contact number and be e-mailed to sessiz.ciglik.kibris@gmail.com.
Privacy of entrants will be protected. No participant’s letter, including the winning letters, will be shared with anyone without written and verbal consent from the entrant. Those wanting more information can call: 0548-855 4065 / 0533-8649955 / 0542-8883010.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Full competition details are available here