After running a number of national competitions before, this one will only be open to writers from the Murrumbidgee region.

Fellowship president Emily Fishenden said that making theme 'mental health in a rural community' was a great wait to start conversations.

"Mental health is so broad and has such scope and we encourage everyone young and old to get involved in this writing competition," Mrs Fishenden said.

Primary and secondary students can submit works in poetry and short story whilst an open competition will also be held in both categories.

"It could be as simple as you would like, mental health doesn't always have complex and sad, it's a journey and everyone has been on a difference journey with their own mental health and life experience" Mrs Fishenden said.

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Submissions open on September 9 and will run all the way through Mental Health Awareness Month, closing on October 21.

All of the submitted entries will be compiled into an anthology book which will be made available for sale, with all money made going directly to local mental health support programs Wellways and Headspace.

"We are excited to be able to give these funds back to the community," Mrs Fishenden said.

The prizes for the winners of the competition have also come from a variety of local businesses.

"The writers club really did want to be able to keep the money in Griffith and support the local economy," Mrs Fishenden said.

For entry fees and conditions please email griffithfaw@gmail.com or click here.

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