Author: betty_jackson
National Recovery & Suicide Prevention Month – September
September is National Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Month. Join us as we spotlight these two critical behavioral health issues. What Is National Recovery Month? In the United States, National Recovery Month is observed in September. While in the past, each year focused on a new theme, the permanent, overarching theme going forward is “Every Person. Every Family. Every Community.” The goal is to raise understanding of the disease of addiction, reduce stigma attached to the condition, and educate the public on prevention, recovery, and support. The 4 weeks of September correspond and highlight each of the 4 dimensions of recovery, each with a key message. In order, these are:
Suicide Prevention Week – September 8-14, 2024
Suicide Prevention Week – September 8-14, 2024 National Suicide Prevention Week, which begins on September 8 and ends on September 14 this year, is an annual campaign observed in the United States to educate and inform the general public about suicide prevention and to warn about rising suicide rates. It also aims to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and encourage the pursuit of mental health assistance because going to therapy should be as normalized as going to the gym. History of Suicide Prevention Week The American Association of Suicidology sponsors National Suicide Prevention Week (NSPW) activities. Since 1975, NSPW awareness events are held throughout the week corresponding to World Suicide Prevention Day, which is recognized annually on September 10. Although suicide awareness activities started in the 1950s, the history of suicide itself goes back to the 1700s. The act of suicide is also prominently mentioned in ancient legend and history. Ajax the great killed himself in the Trojan War and Lucretia’s suicide around 510 B.C. initiated the revolt that displaced the Roman Kingdom. Attitudes towards suicide have varied over the years through the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods with some supporting the act in cases when people were afflicted with a disease and some denying that suicide was a crime. It was not until the 1950s that suicide prevention activities in the U.S. started.
Town Hall Meeting
Just a friendly reminder of our Town Hall Meeting scheduled for today, Wednesday, August 28th at 12noon via MS Teams. This is a great time to engage in an open forum with our President/CEO Don Savoie and his Executive Management Team. See flyer below and attached for more information and how you can join the Town Hall Meeting. Microsoft Teams meeting Join on your computer, mobile app or room device Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 242 272 425 849 Passcode: 4hSQDf See you at the meeting! Thanks,
Community Photo Solicitations from Employees
Greetings Meridian Team: We are now accepting solicitations of high-resolution photos from employees highlighting community landmarks in all of our service areas. These will be used as part of our rebrand strategy with the communities we serve at heart. All submissions can be emailed to Eliza Philbin and/or Kandra Albury with the following information: Again, all photos must be high resolution/ in focus and top quality for our website as well as use on our SM pages. Photos can be landscaped as well as horizontal with framing space above, below and on the sides of the subject they are capturing. I’ve attached samples for consideration. Photos will be lightly edited to ensure top-quality representation. Thanks,
Steps to Wellness
I hope this email finds you in good health and high spirits. I am thrilled to announce that our 8th Annual Steps to Wellness Luncheon is just around the corner, and we would be honored to have you join us! Event Details: Event: 8th Annual Steps to Wellness LuncheonDate and Time: Thursday, September 12th at 11 a.m.Venue: Best Western Grand, Gainesville, FLAddress: 4200 NW 97th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32606 This year’s luncheon theme is “It Takes Heart: One Life at a Time, One Community at a Time.” This powerful theme underscores our collective commitment to making a difference in mental wellness, emphasizing that meaningful change begins with individual actions and extends to the broader community. The Steps to Wellness Luncheon has become a hallmark gathering where passionate individuals and organizations converge to exchange ideas, experiences, and inspiration about mental health. It serves as a pivotal platform for networking, learning, and advocating for mental wellness. The program will feature distinguished guest speakers who will offer insights and inspiration from their expertise in mental health. We are excited to share more details about these speakers soon. Please find attached the event flyer and information. For any inquiries or additional information, please reach out to Kandra Albury, our Vice President of Marketing, at kandra_albury@mbhci.org. Best, Eliza
Employee Appreciation Month
July 2024 – Meridian Employee Appreciation Month! Meridian and the Employee Engagement & Communication and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee have set aside the month of July as Meridian Employee Appreciation Month. During the month of July our focus will be on you–our Employees. Although, we celebrate and recognize our employees all year long with our Employee Spotlight project, Rock Star Program and Semi-Annual “I Am Meridian” Celebrations. We take this month to say again “thank you” and show appreciation for your dedication, service provided and for the care you continue to provide for our clients/patients and community. To kick-off the month, we will be starting with random drawings and a Color of the Day on Wednesday, July 10th. The color of the day for Wednesday, July 10th is Yellow. There will be activities throughout the month such as random drawings for gifts, gift baskets and gift cards. Also, we are asking everyone to participate by wearing the color of the day. Please send your photos/selfies in the designated color of the day attire to Betty Jackson at betty_jackson@mbhci.org by 3pm for the posting on the “My Meridian”- Employee Intranet and an opportunity to win a prize. Again, the color of the day for Wednesday, July 10th is Yellow. More information to come regarding the activities of the month. Again, this Month is for YOU!
4th of July Holiday
Meridian Offices will be closed in observance and celebration of the Independence Day Holiday on Thursday, July 4th. All offices will be closed with the exception of the programs/departments with 24/7 service obligations. The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues. The Fourth of July 2024 is on Thursday, July 4. Also, the Employee Engagement & Communication and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee is sponsoring a 4th of July event to be held on Wednesday, July 3rd with a random drawing. Please see flyer below and attached for more details. Please join in the celebration by wearing your red, white and blue on Wednesday!
