Hosting an Event or Activity

One of the most popular ways to raise awareness about prevention and mental health is to host a community event or activity. Events show the impactful work you’re doing for prevention and bring your community together to tell your prevention story.

Here are some ideas to help inspire you:

• Organize a health fair or family game night.
• Paint a school mural themed around living healthy lives.
• Throw an ice cream social to reduce stress on campus.
• Sponsor a fun run/walk for prevention.
• Engage youth in your community with a #MyPreventionStory video contest.
• Host a Communities Talk town hall or Parents’ Night Out educational session.
• Use the DEA’s toolkit to host a Prescription Drug Take Back Day event.
• Partner with an entertainment venue to host a prevention-themed open mic night.
• Honor the prevention heroes in your community with an award ceremony.
• Pitch an op-ed (PDF | 72 KB) on substance use and misuse prevention to your local newspaper or TV station.
• Share health messaging in school newsletters or daily announcements.

Getting Started

Visit the National Prevention Week Toolkit to access tips and tools for hosting your own community event or activity. The toolkit has all the information you need to jumpstart your prevention event planning.

Don’t forget to use #NationalPreventionWeek25 on social media when you post about your event!