SMILE week is a way of addressing a number of key issues that teens face and giving them information and access to support. It can also build a positive school environment which can be built upon during the year. Building trust and empathy among the student population is important, creating a positive and supportive school environment. It is also a great way to welcome new students into the school and make them feel safe and comfortable. Read how a former Webwise Youth Panelists organised a SMILE week in her school here.

So how does SMILE week work? That is up to you! If you have Transition Year students, it might be a nice project for them to get involved in. Form smaller sub-committees giving each committee a day to plan.

Monday –  Suicide Prevention Day

Tuesday –Mental Health Awareness Day

Wednesday- Internet Safety

Thursday- LGBT

Friday- Enjoy

Resources

• Webwise has a range of teaching resources for schools on topics such as cyberbullying, sexting, online exploitation and coercion and more. Our Safer Internet Day Ambassador Programme opens in September. Make sure you have a plan ready to celebrate Safer Internet Day on February 5th, 2019. For activities and ideas go to SaferInternetDay.ie/schools. Why not organise a talk from the Garda Schools Programme who can deliver the first lesson of the Be in Ctrl resource. This resource tackles online exploitation and sexual coercion and is supported by a ten-minute film created by Europol called ‘Say No!’.
• The Young Social Innovators website has a range of resources created by young people on a number of social issues. It is also a great project to get involved in. Last year the winners of the YSI Award went to Ard Scoil Mhuire in Corbally on the project: Keep it PG. See more about the project here.
• Cycle Against Suicide has a number of options to get schools involved, from their Ambassador Programme, Fundraising opportunities or why not cycle with them? For more information see: http://www.cycleagainstsuicide.com/get-involved/schools/
• BeLong To has a number of resources that can be used to promote anti-bullying and inclusion in your school. Their Stand Up Awareness week has a number of posters, videos and inspirational stories available at: http://belongto.org/professionals/stand-up-awareness-week/
•  For the last day of SMILE week, how about showing a film? Michael Inside is a powerful film that follows the story of Michael who finds himself in prison at just eighteen years of age.