Speaker Series

Community. Commitment. Collaboration.

Meridian’s Speaker Series was developed to bring community leaders, professionals, educators, and the general public together to discuss and identify issues surrounding community health. Through poignant guest speakers immersed in experiences related to identified topics and a discussion panel following, we enable and engage in conversation and discuss potential collaborative opportunities where people within the community can work together to build healthier outcomes for those in need.

This year’s Speaker Series events featured the Founder of The Youth Mental Health Project Randi Silverman and Brain Health Advocate and Storyteller Kevin Hines

2023 Event Schedule:

2023 Guest Speakers

Thank You For Joining Us for Randi Silverman!

Randi Silverman – Award Winning Filmmaker & Founder of The Youth Mental Health Project

Check out Randi’s multi-award winning film trailer, NO LETTING GO

A believer in the power of storytelling, Randi Silverman, used her real life experiences to write and produce the multi-award winning film, NO LETTING GO. Receiving critical acclaim from film reviewers and mental health organizations alike, the film has won over 20 awards at independent film festivals world-wide. Randi’s personal mission to change the narrative around youth mental health, improve access to resources, and help other families came from over a decade of personal experience fighting to find help for her son, who was diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and early onset bipolar disorder as a young child.

Randi is the Founder and former Executive Director of The Youth Mental Health Project, a nonprofit organization which educates, empowers, and supports families and communities to better understand and care for the mental health of youth. She created The Youth Mental Health Crisis to increase literacy, support families, promote early intervention and prevention, and improve the mental health of children, teens, and young adults

Thank You For Joining Us for Kevin Hines!

September was Suicide Prevention Month – Click here to see Kevin’s inspirational story

Click here to see additional resources Kevin Hines provided during his talk

Kevin Hines—Brain Health Advocate & Storyteller – Golden Gate Bridge Attempted Suicide Survivor

Kevin Hines is an award-winning brain/mental health and suicide prevention activist, entrepreneur, multiple award-winning filmmaker, best-selling author, international educator and speaker who reaches audiences with his story of an unlikely survival and his strong will to live. Two years after he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder (19 years of age), he attempted to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. He is one of only thirty-four to survive the fall, and the only one to regain full physical mobility. The fall would break his body, but not his spirit.

Today, Kevin dedicates his life to saving lives and encouraging others to seek help and spread empathy by spreading the message of hope and sharing his story. He is one of the most respected and admired voices of lived experience. Kevin’s story is a remarkable testament to the strength of the human spirit and a reminder for us to love the life we have.