State Department of Health Announces Social Media Video Contest to Help Prevent the Spread of Monkeypox Among College Students

College Students Encouraged to Submit Videos Before November 28th to Help Fight Monkeypox HERE

FAQ Webpage for Colleges and Universities Available HERE

Learn More About Monkeypox HERE

ALBANY, N.Y. (October 20, 2022) – New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett today announced the launch of a social media video contest as part of a public awareness campaign aimed at informing college students about monkeypox and how to prevent transmission. The Department is inviting all students and student associations in New York State colleges, universities, and graduate schools to produce up to a 15-second video for social media educating other students about the transmission, dangers, and prevention of monkeypox.

"Hearing from other students through social media videos is a unique way for college students to stay informed about monkeypox so they understand the symptoms, how it spreads, and what to do if they are exposed," State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said. "It's particularly important to remind college-aged students that anyone can get monkeypox, so campuses should communicate that monkeypox is a public health concern for everyone and how to prevent transmission of this virus."

While anyone can get monkeypox, since the outbreak of monkeypox in May, the virus has spread to thousands of people, including cisgender and transgender gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM).

Commissioner Bassett noted that the Department will select six winners, first, second, and third place, in the categories of live action and animation from the submissions received between October 24, 2022 and November 28, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Submissions will be closed after this time.

The winning videos will be featured on the State Department of Health's social media platforms to help spread the word on monkeypox. Prizes of Amazon, grocery, or gas gift cards will be awarded in each category as follows: 1st prize, $500; 2nd prize, $300; and 3rd prize, $200.

Video Contest Rules:

Application Period

The Department will start accepting submissions on October 24, 2022. The contest ends on November 28, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Submissions will be closed after this time.

Eligibility

Contestants must be meet both the following criteria:

  1. Enrolled in a college or university in New York State at the undergraduate or graduate level or a NYS resident who is enrolled in an out of state college or university; and
  2. Age 18-26 years old.

Contest Guidelines

All submissions MUST follow each of our contest rules. Failure to meet ALL these rules will lead to disqualification.

  • Content must relate to monkeypox and educate young adults ages 18 – 26 about monkeypox, and its transmission, dangers, and/or prevention.
  • Video must address at least one of the topics listed below in the Approved Messaging section.
  • Only eligible contestants (see above) may submit a video.
  • If any of your collaborators is a minor (age <17 years), please make sure a parent or guardian signs their video release waiver form.
  • Video may be live action, animation, or a combination of both.
  • No copyrighted music or images. All assets must be original or copyright free. If using copyright free assets, please give credit on the entry form.
  • Video specs:
    • Maximum length of video - 15 seconds
    • Minimum resolution - 540 x 960 px or 640 x 640 px
    • Maximum file size - 500 MB

All submissions must follow the content policies of the following social media platforms – TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook.

How to Submit

Contestants must submit the following items:

  1. A URL for your video. The video must follow all Contest Guidelines (see above) and meet video specs for all social media platforms.
  2. An entry form with all necessary information

Both the entry form and the videos must be submitted at the same time. Students can email the completed entry form to Contest.Entries@health.ny.gov.

Winners

New York State Department of Health judges will begin reviewing submissions after the application period has ended. Winners will be announced on the State Health Department website and social media channels. Those who submit the winning videos will also receive an email notification.

Full contest rules and eligibility available here.

This video contest is the latest part of a comprehensive public awareness campaign to get monkeypox information directly to New Yorkers. The Department's website has free, downloadable materials, including an information card, poster, and palm card in English and Spanish.

In addition to the video contest, New Yorkers can sign up for text messages—which will include alerts about cases, symptoms, spread, and resources for testing and vaccination—by texting "MONKEYPOX" to 81336 or "MONKEYPOXESP" for texts in Spanish. By providing a zip code, New Yorkers can also opt-in for location-based messages.

For more information about monkeypox, including case counts by county, treatment, and care, visit: health.ny.gov/monkeypox.