Our annual poetry competition celebrating the best of mental health writing is back. Enter the Happiful Poetry Prize 2026 now… 

Seasoned pro or fresh newbie, wherever you are in your writing journey, you are personally invited to enter the Happiful Poetry Prize 2026.

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 winner will receive £100, and four shortlisted poets will receive a £25 National Book Token. All five poems will be published in issue 108 of Happiful.

Please submit:

  • One entry per person, of a poem no more than 25 lines long.
  • Your poem’s title.
  • Your full name and address.
  • A short biography, no more than 50 words long.

Enter the Happiful Poetry Prize 2026

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. Read the full T&Cs. Good luck!

Looking for inspiration?

The best writers are great readers. Head to happiful.com/poetry-prize to read Happiful’s 2025 winning and shortlisted poems, as well as exclusive Q&As with the poets behind them, and a practical tips and prompts to get started on your own poem.