Public Relations Plan

To raise awareness and attract more students to the program, two media exposure strategies have been proposed: hosting an open house event and organizing a health and wellness panel discussion. These two strategies are designed to reach students in different ways, building credibility and fostering deeper engagement for the program.

The first media exposure strategy is to host an open house event where we would invite students, faculty members, and local media to explore the SafeSpace Smiles facility, meet staff, and participate in interactive workshops. These workshops could focus on topics like managing dental anxiety, the association between oral health and mental well-being, and tips for balancing academic stress/social pressures. The open house would create an opportunity for local media to cover the event, showcasing how the program addresses the growing need for integrated healthcare. This strategy would not only introduce SafeSpace Smiles to the student (target) population, but it would also help reduce stigma surrounding mental health support by demonstrating the program’s accessible, compassionate care.

 

The second media exposure strategy is to organize a health and wellness panel discussion featuring experts in mental health and dental care. This panel could include professionals from the SafeSpace Smiles program, local mental health organizations, and various dental practitioners to offer insight about the importance of mental and oral health for our overall well-being. The panel could be open to students and faculty, with a local media presence to cover the event as well. By hosting this discussion, SafeSpace Smiles would provide a platform for experts to discuss topics that are extremely relevant to students’ lives. This strategy would attract media attention and engage the audience with valuable educational content, further building the program’s credibility and fostering a deeper connection with the community.

 

Both the open house event and the panel discussion are designed to create meaningful exposure and awareness for the SafeSpace Smiles program. However, ultimately, we want these events to educate the student population and reduce stigma around mental health as well.