For the past several years, the group has invited entries from people experiencing mental health issues, as well as people working in the mental wellness space and other advocates, to contribute a painting or other artwork for the competition.

Because of the coronavirus, any artworks submitted will need to be submitted digitally, but organisers say this will expand the scope dramatically.

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Sculptures and digital paintings, among other media, will go toe-to-toe with traditional paintings, with all entrants to be exhibited online.

The competition opened at the beginning of the month, and closes in September - plenty of time to think about what people would like to submit.

The action group, made up of not-for-profit support agencies from across Ballarat, have plenty more ideas for recognising Mental Health Week in October.

Ballarat Community Health's arts and wellbeing coordinator Alisa Tanaka-King said giving people the opportunity to express themselves creatively had never been so important.

"I run groups weekly - normally - for positive mental wellbeing using art," she said.

"Our mantra is busy hands, calm mind, so you can focus on making to find some relaxation, some focus, some stillness, but also a sense of achievement.

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"For something as complex as mental health, art is a forgiving and welcoming avenue, there's very little judgment and a lot of freedom, the only way you can go wrong is not making something, and it's accessible to people from all walks of life.

"Having an exhibition to work towards is sometimes a bit of a nerve wracking prospect, but it gives you a huge sense of achievement."

She said she was looking forward to seeing this year's entries - there are prizes in a number of categories, and all works can be put up for sale as well.

"We're setting up an Instagram which will reach a wider audience - it means we can open up the discussion around mental health and creativity to an audience wider than Ballarat, that's something we haven't been able to do before," she said.

"Previously we've had size restrictions for works, but if people can photograph works, the sky's the limit."

Art is also a good way for people to process the uncertain and changing world around them, particularly during the pandemic crisis, she added.

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"We've been working with clients virtually rather than in person - most of the people we work with already have it as an element, as a coping mechanism or a driver - so in that way it's given them a tool for resilience for times like this," she said.

"It's been interesting to watch people discover this as a way of coping and trying to find themselves in this super weird time - not to say it's art therapy and processing trauma, but it's having a different way of approaching your day-to-day activities from a creative perspective."

To find out more and enter, head online.

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