Being a Volunteer Judge in the BELO Contest: A Transformative Experience
Being a volunteer juror in the BELO Competition is an experience that goes beyond the simple evaluation of creative works. It represents a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the fight against the stigma of mental disorders, valuing the talent, emotions and experiences of people who face or have overcome these challenges. This role allows to be deeply sensitized to the realities of mental health, to expand empathy and to be part of a global movement for social change.
Commitment to evaluation
During the evaluation period, between June and August, each jury analyzes an average of 100 works, especially written and audiovisual (videos), which can be deeply shocking. However, this emotional intensity promotes significant personal growth, allowing jurors to develop a greater understanding of the human experience, strengthen their emotional resilience and enrich their perspective on mental diversity.
Jury composition
The jury for each category of the BELO Competition is composed of three volunteers, ensuring a diverse and balanced evaluation. This composition normally includes.
-
A professional acting in the area of mental health, who brings technical knowledge and clinical experience.
-
A person who has experienced a mental health problem, whose experiential perspective enriches the understanding of the emotional impact of the works.
-
A person from any background without specific experience in mental health, who represents the viewpoint of society in general.
All jurors are volunteers, reflecting the collaborative and supportive spirit that defines the BELO Movement.
Advantages of being a volunteer juror
Salud Mental y Población Mundial
- Will experience at some point throughout their life25%
- Without any treatment or it is not adequate — between 35 and 50%35%
- Mental health problems that begin before age 1436%
- Mental health problems that begin before age 1848%
According to WHO: Mental health problems will be the leading cause of disability worldwide by 2030.
