Search
Close this search box.

Empowering Students to ‘Say Something’

Posters created by students for Say Something Week encouraging their classmates to take action.

Share This Post

Aashi, our guest blogger, is a high school student from California who co-founded her school’s SAVE Promise Club as a sophomore. As President, she guided her school through its first year of Start With Hello and Say Something activities.

As the pandemic persists, students are facing pressures from the college admissions process, financial considerations, and uncertainty of the future. 

Anxiety is at an All-time High

The prolonged social isolation has caused severe loneliness, confusion, and unforeseen difficulties for students as they think about college. Moreover, others hunt for jobs in a market where several industries face shutdown after shutdown. 

As a high schooler, I see the increased stress and frustration in my school community. That’s in addition to the racial discrimination that has been exposed and exasperated over the course of the past few years. Students long to fulfill their interactive needs while grappling with the responsibility to keep their family and friends safe. 

The pandemic and the events throughout it have made it clear. All of us – every member of the national community – must speak up about the things that matter. And you can start with Say Something.

Watch the video to see what Aashi and community leaders have to say about Say Something.

Ways to Honor Say Something

Join Aashi and youth leaders across the country in honoring upstanders. Here’s how:

1. Sign-up for Say Something

You’ll get special planning guides for youth leaders and educators as well as updates on activities and educational events. You’ll also receive tips and resources for Say Something training, found on our Learning Center, including custom training for fourth and fifth graders. And to help address the struggles Aashi outlines above, you can also access the Say Something: Prevent Suicide training module.

2. Recognize People Making Your Community Safer 

On Upstander Tuesday, you can share what being an upstander means to you. Organize a poster, poetry, or art contest at your school. Share your original work with Sandy Hook Promise by tagging @sandyhookpromise on Instagram and Facebook and @sandyhook on Twitter.

3. Give a shout-out to a Trusted Adult

Join in “Trusted Adult Thursdays”. Take a selfie with your trusted adult, write a letter to your trusted adult, or give them a sign to post on their door or backdrop or a certificate of gratitude.

4. Connect on Your Favorite Social Networks 

There are so many ways to see and share Say Something creative and engaging activities with other educators, students, and schools. Use this social media kit for some ready-to-go graphics to promote your Say Something activities. Be sure to use the campaign hashtag #SaySomethingSavesLives

5. Apply for a Say Something Award

Show Sandy Hook Promise how you embrace Say Something through a video or slideshow of images. Your school or SAVE Promise Club could win $250 to support your future Sandy Hook Promise program events and activities.

6.  Join in Unity Fri-Yay! 

Come together as a community of unity on Fridays. Wear green as a symbol of violence prevention and hope for a kinder, safer future for all students. Whether in the classroom or online, let your Say Something spirit shine by wearing green clothing or accessories.

Get Involved

Learn more about how you can get involved in Say Something, and empower students in your own community.