Bookmarks may normally be used to mark where to begin reading the next time a book is picked up, but the bookmarks designed by Nadezhda Badenhausen and Anniesoet Deya will serve an even greater purpose.

The sixth-grade students at Fitchburg Arts Academy were recently named the winners for FAA of a contest to create bookmarks in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month.

Sixth graders from ten schools in central Massachusetts were able to enter the contest, sponsored by Alternatives Unlimited Inc., which has an office in Leominster, and North Central Human Services Inc., in Gardner.

Both organizations work to help disabled individuals.

FAA art teacher Jessica Clarke immediately wanted to have her students participate when the project was proposed to her by Pamela White, the parent of an FAA student and the director of program development for Alternatives.

Clarke believes that the contest complimented the mission of the school well.

“Because we are an arts integrated school, the kids do art in many other subjects, so it’s easy for them to be visual thinkers,” she said.

Clarke decided that time normally reserved for the Circle of Power and Respect provided a good time for the kids to work on the project.

“A lot of times, we use that time to talk about connecting with our neighbors and building our school community, so I thought it was a good chance to talk about (mental health),” she said.

They worked on the project off and on throughout the month of February so they could be on time for the mid- April deadline.

The students had to incorporate the phrases “Mind Your Mind,” “Peace of Mind,” or “Tend Your Mind,” into designs for the 8.75 inches x 2.5 inches bookmark.

Both Badenhausen and Deya chose to create their design using the Peace of Mind phrase. Picking the motto was an easy decision for Deya.

“I’m peaceful,” said Deya.

After completing their designs, the students had the option of submitting their work to the contest.

Deya decided to enter her idea of a peace sign, smiley face, and apple and book. “I thought it would be fun, even if I didn’t win,” said Deya.

A calming night scene was the basis for Badenhausen’s peace of mind idea.

The girls were thrilled when they heard within the past two weeks that they were winners of the contest for FAA.

“I started blushing,” said Badenhausen.

For their effort, each of the winners received a $50 savings bond. Multiple copies of their bookmarks were also printed so they could be distributed throughout the school and in the Fitchburg Public Library.

Using her own bookmark gives Deya more of an incentive to read books she said.

The benefits of the project reach far beyond another item to mark where they left off in a book or even as a means to encourage kids to read. On the other side of the bookmark from the girls’ designs, there will be tips listed to assist people in getting help for their depression and other mental health issues.

Mental Health Awareness Month was founded in 1949 as a way to help educate people about the issues surrounding mental health and illness, discussions that still need to occur today, according to White.

The continued issues surrounding mental health made the effort to mark Mental Health Awareness Month in some way an important mission for Alternatives.

“We just wanted to put it out there for people to keep themselves in mind and take care of themselves, because it affects everyone,” said White.

Because some insurance companies do not cover therapy and other treatments for mental illnesses, many people simply do not seek treatment for their conditions.

Some of the tips to help stay mentally healthy that are listed on the North Central Human Services Web site are to divide tasks into small and manageable goals so the end result is more achievable, limit the daily intake of caffeine and alcohol, get enough rest and exercise, spend time with family and friends, take time to do an enjoyable activity each day, and ask for help.

Badenhausen is excited with the idea that her project has the ability to help others.

“Maybe if you are one of those people who carry a book everywhere, you can open it when you are bored and do the exercises so it can help you if you need,” she said.