The Writer's Circle, the program that sprouted OPEN MINDS QUARTERLY, runs a writing contest for consumer/survivors of mental illness*, the annual BrainStorm Poetry Contest. The entries are judged by a panel of consumers and family members, and the winning entries are published in Open Minds Quarterly each year.

Our 2009 contest will open for entries on January 4, 2009. Contest entry forms will be available on this website after Dec. 1, or you can call NISA at 705-675-9193, ext. 8286 to request one by mail. Note: We cannot accept entries before Jan. 4, 2009.

Winners of our past contests Curious to see who won our earlier BrainStorm contests? Click here to find out which poems won the 2008 poetry contest, here for the 2007 contest, and here for the 2006 contest.

If you're interested in entering the next BrainStorm Contest, contact Dinah Laprairie, Editor, to receive the next contest announcement. You can't win if you don't enter!

* A consumer/survivor of mental illness describes someone who has used mental health services, and/or someone who may be described as seriously mentally ill.