Saying the Recipients of the Spotify x JED Impact Award for Constructive Mental Health Storytelling — Spotify

When we launched the inaugural Spotify x JED Impact Award earlier this yr, our purpose was easy: Celebrate unpublished fiction that conjures up a extra inclusive and compassionate dialogue round psychological well being. Now, on World Mental Health Day, we’re excited to announce the 5 recipients whose work exemplifies optimistic psychological well being storytelling.

This initiative is a partnership between Spotify; The Black List, a platform the place writers can  showcase work to business professionals; and The Jed Foundation (JED), a number one nonprofit that protects emotional well being and prevents suicide amongst teenagers and younger adults nationwide.

Designed to create alternatives for rising writers, the Spotify x JED Impact Award goals to normalize psychological well being experiences and spotlight the significance of in search of and providing help.

Each recipient will obtain a $10,000 grant to help their work, together with alternatives to seek the advice of with psychological well being consultants by JED. All writers will retain the rights to their manuscripts.

Recipients have been chosen from a big pool of manuscripts over a number of rounds of judging. The closing choice was made by a distinguished panel: bestselling writer Jason Reynolds; Michael La Ronn, writer of greater than 100 novels and self-help books for writers; and Julia Phillips, writer of the bestseller Bear: A Novel and Disappearing Earth, a National Book Award finalist.

“Each of the recipients wrote manuscripts with compelling characters and explorations of mental health issues that both educated and inspired me,” mentioned Michael. “I’m so proud of the recipients and hope these manuscripts are just the beginning.”

The Impact Award is a part of Spotify’s Heart & Soul, Mental Health for Creators initiative, which helps the well-being of artists, songwriters, and authors worldwide. Through our ongoing partnership with JED, we’ll proceed to offer sources that nurture each inventive and private wellness. Self-care and psychological well being storytelling resources for writers have been additionally created in collaboration with JED.

Meet the Spotify x JED Impact Award recipients

“The recipients of the inaugural Spotify x JED Impact Award bring to life vivid and moving depictions of mental health,” mentioned Spotify Social Impact Lead Casey Acierno. “We’re proud to celebrate these impactful narratives and support their writers.”

• • Distortion by Daniel Patinkin
  • In-Between Worlds by Solomon Tesfaye
  • Infinite Delores by Bree Barton
  • More Than Quiet by Terah Tsuyako Summers
  • The Invisible Runner by Dennis Haseley

Learn extra concerning the recipients and their tasks here. 

The energy of storytelling

For our companions, this yr’s submissions are a reminder of how fiction can spark connection, understanding, and hope.

“Reading the award submissions underscored the powerful role fiction plays in shaping our mental health and inner storytelling—how we see the world, our place in it, and the pathways for healing and growth,” mentioned Courtney Knowles, Senior Media Advisor for JED. “We look forward to learning from these talented recipients and expanding our work with Spotify to support creators in their mental health and impact journeys.”

This collaboration additionally highlighted the significance of difficult stereotypes and inspiring accountable storytelling.

“Help-seeking and help-giving narratives—stories that challenge mental health stereotypes— make for better, more responsible writing,” added Randy Winston, Creative Director of Fiction at The Black List. “Congratulations to our grant recipients for their work, and a heartfelt thank you to our judges Jason, Julia, and Michael and our readers for their time and efforts.” 

Stay tuned to see how else Spotify’s Heart & Soul, Mental Health for Creators initiative is supporting artists, authors, and their groups across the globe.