2026 PSA Contest

Virtual Award Ceremony

Friday, March 13th at 10AM CST (20 minutes TRT)

Watch Now!

Presented by

Contest Theme

Specific contest prompts will be emailed to teachers on February 17th at 7AM CST. Both PSA contests will address issues surrounding mental health and mental health awareness.

Contest Launch
Feb 17, 2026 @ 7AM CST

Production
Feb 17 - 24, 2026

Deadline
Feb 24, 2026 @ 5PM CST

Virtual Awards
March 13, 2026 at 10AM CST

"Not Alone" High School Only

Contest Prompt
Will be delivered to teacher via email on Feb 17th at 7AM CST.
First Place
$1,500 ($1,000 team prize + $500 school media program prize)
Second Place
$750 team prize
Third Place
$500 team prize
Audience Choice (Most Votes)
$250 team prize
Total Run Time
30-60 Seconds
Rules
Grades 9-12 from schools or homeschools in the United States and Canada. Up to 4 students per entry. Up to 10 entries per school. Each student is limited to only one entry in only one contest. Teacher / parent participation is discouraged, but is not forbidden. Judges will prioritize “authentic youth voice” over production value.

Get Prompt
"3 Ways" High School Division

Contest Prompt
Will be delivered to teacher via email on Feb 17th at 7AM CST.
First Place
$1,500 ($1,000 team prize + $500 school media program prize)
Second Place
$500 team prize
Third Place
$250 team prize
Audience Choice (Most Votes)
$250 team prize
Total Run Time
30-60 Seconds
Rules
Grades 9-12 from schools or homeschools in the United States and Canada. Up to 4 students per entry. Up to 10 entries per school. Each student is limited to only one entry in only one contest. Teacher / parent participation is discouraged, but is not forbidden. Judges will prioritize “authentic youth voice” over production value.

Get Prompt
"3 Ways" Middle School Division

Contest Prompt
Will be delivered to teacher via email on Feb 17th at 7AM CST.
First Place
$1,500 ($1,000 team prize + $500 school media program prize)
Second Place
$500 team prize
Third Place
$250 team prize
Audience Choice (Most Votes)
$250 team prize
Total Run Time
30-60 Seconds
Rules
Grades 6-8 from schools or homeschools in the United States and Canada. Up to 4 students per entry. Up to 10 entries per school. Each student is limited to only one entry in only one contest. Teacher / parent participation is discouraged, but is not forbidden. Judges will prioritize “authentic youth voice” over production value.

Get Prompt

FAQ

Each entry that places first, second, and third in each contest will receive the prize sum to be divided equally among all students listed as team members on the entry.
First place entries in each contest will receive an extra $500 awarded to their school or school’s media program.
An additional cash prize will also be awarded to the “audience favorite” in each of the contests. This will be decided by a vote and divided equally among team members.
Actors, talent, or interview subjects will not be considered team members unless they are listed as team members. Each team may have up to 4 students.
No. Each individual student may only be listed as a team member on a total of one entry in a total of one contest.
Anyone can appear as an actor / talent / interview subject in as many entries as they wish. Actors, talent, and interview subjects are not considered team members unless they are listed as team members.
Yes. The school representing the first place entry in each contest will receive $500. Schools are limited to 10 entries per contest.
Yes. Homeschool students may enter. Homeschool parents may enter as teachers and would receive the school’s prize if their student wins first place. The same rules apply to all students.
The student-produced PSAs may be used as content by Safe & Sober online and in their nationally distributed substance misuse prevention video program.
Every entry will require release forms from each student 18 years and older and parent/guardian-signed release forms for minor children under 18 years old.
Entries will be submitted via online portal. Teachers will receive detailed instructions via email when they register.
Each entry will submit a final version and a “clean” version. A “clean” version is a version of the video with no music/sfx and no graphics.
Each entry will also submit all required release forms for all production crew and anyone who appears on camera.
No. Elementary schools and elementary school students are not eligible. Students must be in grades 6-12 to be eligible.

Presented by

This project was supported by Missouri Foundation for Health by grant funding.

CPO is funded 39% at $4,132,356 with federal funds received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services, Missouri Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 5% at $508,571 by other federal funding, and 56% at $5,960,206 by other non-federal sources.

2026 PSA Contest

Virtual Award Ceremony