Meridian Matters

Meridian Expands Partnership with Schools for New Event

RICHMOND, Ind. – Meridian Health Services is expanding its partnership with local schools by bringing its Speaker Series event into schools to help make an impact on the lives of students for better health and well-being. The Speaker Series: School Assembly, features engaging speakers discussing the daily challenges teens face, and provides support and resources for students to make positive choices that will positively impact their “whole-person” health.

Meridian Health Services has been providing behavioral health services for many years in more than 200 schools throughout Indiana. In 2022, Meridian spearheaded the new concept of creating an on-site school-based health clinic that offers both primary medical care and behavioral health to help broaden access to these much-needed services for students, teachers, families, and the community at large. Through this partnership with schools, Meridian sees kids in greater need of physical and mental health services – especially as the nation faces a youth mental health crisis. It was through this existing partnership and deep understanding of what mental health battles our youth are facing that The Speaker Series: School Assembly was created. Meridian kicked off the series in Muncie in August at Southside and Northside Middle Schools.

The second event in the series was held in November for Dennis Middle School, Test Intermediate School, and Hibbard Program Building students. Meridian brought Brandon McCall to speak to students on positive self-image, social media use, bullying, mental health, and other daily youth struggles. McCall is a motivational speaker with a passion for working with schools and has dedicated his life to helping students make positive choices.

The Speaker Series: School Assembly is sponsored by G101.3, Wayne County Health Department, Wayne County Community Foundation, Jay-Crew, Brooklawn, Reid Health, Kicks 96, 101.7 The Point, and Palladium-Item Local IQ.

For more information about The Speaker Series: School Assembly, please visit www.MeridianHS.org/Speaker-Series.