Events

The SMILE project had a successful showing at MEDICA, the world’s leading International Trade Fair, held in Dusseldorf, Germany. This prestigious event brings together key stakeholders from across the healthcare sector.

The University of Maribor showcased our project’s mission and goals, and our innovative approach to improving youth mental health. Their participation at MEDICA provided a platformto connect with over 40+ stakeholders, and raising awareness about the importance of youth mental well-being.

SMILE’s presence at MEDICA 2023 marks a step forward in expanding our reach and influence within the global healthcare community.

The SMILE project is committed to fostering knowledge exchange across various sectors. We were thrilled to participate in FERIPovezuje, a fair exhibition hosted by the University of Maribor.

This dynamic event provided a platform for showcasing our innovative approach to improving youth mental health. The SMILE booth attracted over 150 participants, including researchers, industry professionals, and students.

SMILE is grateful for the opportunity to have the University of Maribor hosting FERIPovezuje to build strong partnerships and facilitate conenctions between academia, industry, and students for advancing youth mental health initiatives through digital solutions.

The SMILE project is proud to acknowledge this invaluable collaboration, where our partner, NVISION, presented the project and discussed the crucial role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in both research and clinical practices.

Key Takeaways:

• The critical role of collaboration between research institutions and clinical practitioners in advancing youth mental health initiatives.
• The potential of AI to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of mental health research and clinical practices.
• The importance of ethical considerations when utilizing clinical data for research and AI development.

The SMILE project is committed to fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange within the pediatric healthcare community in this meeting dedicated to child health.

The University of Maribor, presented the SMILE project, focusing on our core mission: developing innovative solutions to support children’s resilience and empower youth mental health.

We were honored to participate in this two-day event that brought together leading pediatric specialists from across Slovenia to discuss advancements and best practices in child health, and remind the pressing needs for children and adolescents well-being today.

The SMILE project was featured at the 18^th European Researchers‘ Night 2024, a prestigious event organised by the Research and Innovation Foundation in Cyprus. This annual event, held in more than 350 cities across Europe and attracting over 1,5 million visitors, celebrates groundbreaking research and innovation and promotes excellent research projects.

Our partner, Citizens in Power (CIP), engaged with a diverse audience at Booth 42, presenting its research and innovation activities including the SMILE initiative, to students from primary to tertiary education, along with their teachers, researchers, and other stakeholders. With over 60 booths at the event, SMILE stood out through interactive Q&A sessions and dynamic presentations, sparking meaningful discussions about the project’s innovative approaches to mental health support.

The event nurtured a culture of research and innovation while facilitating valuable stakeholder interactions. Notably, SMILE was introduced to the Ministry of Education, opening pathways for future collaboration with teachers in Cyprus’ public education sector.

On September 28th, our partner, Citizens in Power (CIP), showcased the SMILE project at the 8^th Up To Youth Festival — the largest youth festival in Cyprus, co-organised by the Cyprus Youth Council and the NGO Support Centre. This vibrant event provided an exceptional platform to connect with a diverse audience, including teachers, adolescents, young adults, and individuals from various backgrounds.

Held as part of the festival’s NGO Fair, which featured over 70 organisations, Citizens in Power (CIP), engaged attendees through dynamic presentations and meaningful discussions. Participants were introduced to SMILE’s impactful approach to mental health and its innovative solutions, sparking significant interest among visitors.

Many attendees eagerly joined the SMILE community through our website, shared their contact information, and expressed enthusiasm about future involvement with the project. With hundreds of participants, the event proved to be a significant milestone in expanding the reach of SMILE, raising awareness, promoting acceptance, and strengthening SMILE’s connections with potential stakeholders.

As part of Erasmus+ Days 2024, our partner, Citizens in Power (CIP), had the opportunity to present the SMILE project during the annual information day held at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus. This event provided an opportunity to connect with the student community and raise awareness about SMILE’s innovative approaches to mental health. Through engaging discussions, Citizens in Power (CIP) introduced SMILE to hundreds of students, sparking interest in its innovative solutions, particularly the serious game. The audience learned how this interactive tool could empower youth and support youth mental health.

This event not only helped in the Cyprus Pilot recruitment process but also opened pathways for future collaborations, further expanding its reach and potential impact on shaping a healthier and more inclusive future.

Our partners, Heriot-Watt University and The University of Edinburgh, hosted an online Information session where participants discovered the SMILE Serious Game, a cyberpunk-inspired, gamified platform that teaches Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques through immersive storytelling and challenges. Alongside the game, the Companion Mobile App was showcased, emphasising features like mood tracking, reflective assessments, and real-time emotional insights to support mental well-being.

Attendees had the opportunity to engage with our research team, preview the game, and learn about the SMILE Living Labs process, which invites young people, parents, teachers, and clinicians to test the prototype and provide feedback. The session concluded with an invitation for young individuals aged 10-24 to join the pilot study, which includes playing the game, completing surveys, and sharing insights through the Companion App.

In a pivotal step toward driving systemic change, our partner, Citizens in Power (CIP), hosted a high-level meeting with four Chief Directors from the Ministry of Education in Cyprus. This strategic dialogue provided a unique opportunity to introduce the SMILE project to key policymakers, positioning it as a transformative initiative for the future of education and mental health support.

The presentation focused on SMILE’s mission to empower youth through innovative solutions, and explored its alignment with the Ministry’s goals of enhancing student well-being, fostering mental health awareness, and improving educational outcomes.

The meeting sparked enthusiastic engagement with Ministry representatives expressing strong interest in advancing collaboration. This milestone event not only opened pathways for collaboration with Cyprus’ key education decision-makers but also cemented SMILE’s role as a forward-thinking solution poised to make a lasting impact on the nation’s education landscape.