Coalition to focus on proactive change in 2026

As we step into 2026, January serves as a month of reflection and proactive change. This month we focus on community health, student safety and celebrating the young leaders among us who make Unicoi County High School and Unicoi County Middle School better places. January is the perfect time to evaluate our habits and prioritize our physical and mental well-being. We encourage our community to participate in Dry January. Taking a 31-day break from alcohol has proven benefits, including improved sleep, increased energy and better mental clarity. It's a great way to "reset" your system for the year ahead.We are excited to partner with the Unicoi County Health Department for Quit Week at UCHS and UCMS. This initiative is designed to support students and staff who are looking to kick nicotine or vaping habits. Our goal is to empower students to take control of their respiratory health and live tobacco-free. Some of our SADD students volunteered and interacted with their peers to talk about the dangers of nicotine and vapes. January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Awareness is our best tool for protection. As of late 2024, Tennessee has recorded hundreds of human trafficking cases, with 514 reports of minor sex trafficking identified by Nov. 17, 2024. The National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 428 signals (calls/texts) from Tennessee, with 213 cases identified as of 2024. 85% of Tennessee counties reported at least one case of sex trafficking in 2024. We want our students and community to be informed about the risks, especially regarding online safety and social media grooming. Key Safety Tips: • Private Profiles: Keep your social media accounts private and only accept requests from people you know in real life.• Trust Your Gut: If a conversation with someone online makes you feel uncomfortable or pressured, block them and tell a trusted adult immediately.• Speak Up: If you see a peer showing signs of being controlled or isolated, report it to a school counselor or our SRO. January is National Mentoring Month, a time to honor mentoring and the positive impact it has on our young people. Mentorship plays a significant role in helping prevent underage drinking and the use of other drugs. It fosters resilience and enhances various protective factors like self-esteem, life skills and positive activities. Research consistently demonstrates that youth mentoring is associated with stronger school engagement, healthier peer relationships and reductions in delinquent behavior. Mentorship is the heartbeat of our school culture. This month, we celebrate the power of positive influence and give a special shout-out to our HOPE Mentor Students. We currently have 17 dedicated HOPE Mentors working across our high school and middle school campuses. These student leaders volunteer their time to guide their peers, offer support and foster a sense of belonging within our halls. Thank You to our 17 Mentors! Their leadership is noticed, and their impact on UCHS and UCMS is immeasurable. We appreciate you! The Coalition looks forward to 2026. We plan to shift into a higher gear. Building on the foundation of prevention, education, and peer support, the new year brings an expansion of services aimed at families and local services. With your support, we can accomplish anything! The more partnerships we form, the healthier our community will be. Please join us at our Unicoi County Unites meetings. We meet on the third Friday of every other month. Our next meeting is from noon to 1:30 p.m. on March 20 at Erwin Town Hall. ••• Christy Smith is the director of the Unicoi County Prevention Coalition.