The Happiful Poetry Prize is an annual competition celebrating the best in mental health and wellbeing writing.

Seasoned pro or fresh newbie, you are personally invited to enter the Happiful Poetry Prize 2026

Launched in the autumn of 2023, the aim of the prize was to celebrate mental health and wellbeing writing of the highest standard. Last year, we received a record number of entries (more than 900!) of outstanding quality – many of which were from writers who were new to poetry, some of whom sent us the first poem they had ever written.

Now, we're back again. We’re looking for poems that explore the topic of mental health and wellbeing in unique, engaging, and empowering ways. The competition is free to enter, and no prior experience is necessary; the only thing we require is a passion for writing.

The best writers are great readers, so use our poetry prize hub to discover interviews with previous winners and runners-up, plus tips for getting started.

General

• The competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over at the time of entering.
• Entries are free.
• Entrants must be based in the UK or NI.
• The deadline for entries is midday on Friday 14 November 2025.
• Only one entry per person is permitted.
• Once submitted, no changes can be made to your entry.
• Use of artificial intelligence to create your poem is not permitted.
• Entries must be submitted through the online submissions form. Postal entries or poems submitted via any other means will not be accepted.
• The judges read all the entries, and their decision is final. Neither the judges nor other staff at Happiful will enter into any correspondence.
• No current employee, or paid freelancer currently working with Happiful, is eligible to enter.

Your entry

• All entries are judged anonymously. The poet’s name must not appear on the poem document itself.
• All poems must have a title and must not exceed 25 lines in length (excluding title).
• Entries must include their full name, address, and a short biography (no more than 50 words) with their entry.
• Poems must be on the topic of mental health or wellbeing. Poems without a clear link to the topic will not be considered.
• Poems must be written in English.
• Poems must be the writer’s original work. AI-generated work is prohibited.

Winner and shortlisters

• The winner and four shortlisted writers will be notified by the end of February 2026.
• The winning poems will be printed in issue 108 of Happiful, but this is subject to change.
• The winner will receive £100, paid via bank transfer. The four shortlisted poets will receive a £25 National Book Token each.
• The copyright of each poem remains with the author. However, authors of the winning poems, by entering the competition, grant Happiful the right in perpetuity to publish and/or broadcast their poem in its print and digital magazine, and on its digital and social media platforms.

The deadline for entries is midday on Friday 14 November 2025. All poets will be contacted with the results by the end of February 2026. UK & NI only.