Competition for digital mental health interventions enters final stretch of applications

São Paulo (Brazil) – As young people face the challenges of the digital age, new solutions are emerging to support them in developing digital mental-health interventions. The Bem na Rede: Competition for Healthy Technology Use!, which invites Brazilian youth aged 16 to 20 to create brief, scalable digital interventions aimed at their peers, is reaching the final stage of applications, open until December 31 (click here to apply – information in Portuguese). Authors of the best proposals will receive prizes of up to R$5,000 (almost U$1,000) and the satisfaction of seeing their creations help young people across the country.

The competition is a partnership between CAMHI Brazil – an initiative launched by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Global Center for Child & Adolescent Mental Health at the Child Mind Institute (CMI), as part of it’s Global Health Initiative (GHI) – and the Instituto Felipe Neto.

“The projects may address a wide variety of themes fundamental to today’s youth, including emotional regulation, self-esteem, media literacy, and digital boundaries,” says Carolina Costa, Brazil Manager of the Global Center. “We believe lasting change begins when we listen to and empower the next generation.”

The competition follows the model of the Single-Session Intervention (SSI). SSIs are structured, one-off encounters designed to offer meaningful support or treatment in just one session. They are evidence-based, flexible, accessible, and capable of significantly reducing distress or improving mental health by encouraging individuals to take a concrete next step.

The challenge is simple yet impactful: create a straightforward website designed to be used by a young person only once, for 10 minutes, and leave a lasting positive mark on their life. Participants do not need to be experts in technology or psychology. They will be able to build their sites using a simple tool, similar to a form or presentation editor, which allows the addition of questions, text, videos, and images. Everything is intuitive—no coding or complications needed.

The final product will be a guided experience in which users answer questions and view videos and images that encourage positive reflection or concrete actions to improve their mental health.

“Taking part in this competition with CAMHI Brazil reinforces our commitment to giving young people a leading role and expanding the debate on mental health and media literacy. We want these ideas to circulate, inspire, and show the world the creativity and transformative power of new generations in building a healthier, more humane digital future,” says Camilo Coelho, communications Director at the Instituto Felipe Neto.

Applications are free and must be submitted through the competition website, which contains all the necessary information for interested participants. Schools may also get involved by organizing hackathons or student activities, as well as encouraging applications and supporting proposal development. A guide for implementing the competition in school settings is available to assist interested educators.

Why are SSIs important?

Not everyone has the time, financial resources, or access to long-term therapy or programs. SSIs do not replace psychotherapy, but serve as an accessible entry point to mental-health care, especially where services are scarce or for those seeking quick, practical support. They offer a brief, structured experience focused on promoting relief, reflection, and immediate action when facing a specific problem.

Timeline

Applications: September 23 to December 31, 2025

Proposal evaluation: January to March 2026

Announcement of winners: March 2026

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About CAMHI Brazil

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Initiative (CAMHI) Brazil is dedicated to strengthening mental-health systems and improving outcomes through training, expanding access to care, and evidence-based solutions. The initiative leads and supports cross-cultural partnerships and promotes solutions developed by young people themselves. CAMHI Brazil is supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) as part of its Global Health Initiative (GHI), in collaboration with the Child Mind Institute (CMI).

About the Instituto Felipe Neto (IFN)

The Instituto Felipe Neto is a nonprofit civil-society organization created to positively impact the lives of children, adolescents, and young people. It operates in three main areas—mental health, media education, and philanthropy—and is committed to promoting well-being, critical thinking, and social responsibility among new generations, preparing them to navigate the challenges of the contemporary world safely.