Robinson Middle School and Sunflower Celebrate National No One Eats Alone Day

Fecha: 10/02/17

Lori Howard, Sunflower Health Plan Vice President of Medical Management, presents over the effects of social isolation to the students of Robinson Middle School on Feb 8. 2017.   

A positive prevention initiative designed to promote inclusion in middle schools was celebrated at Robinson Middle School in Wichita, KS, on Feb. 8, 2017.

Sunflower Health Plan hosted an assembly in honor of National No One Eats Alone Day, created by the non-profit Beyond Differences. Over 780 students participated in activites designed to teach about social isolation and the negative impact it can have on a student’s health and academic performance. Students put the lesson into action by engaging in conversation with other students at lunch. They were given ice breaker topics to discuss to highlight their commonalities.

Social isolation has been identified as a precursor to bullying, self harm and community violence. Students have shown that given the tools, they will stand up for others as empathetic and caring activists, not passive bystanders.

“Social isolation is a preventable public health problem affecting millions of children every day who suffer in silence,” says Laura Talmus, co-founder and executive director of Beyond Differences. “We’ve learned through teachers and families that No One Eats Alone is a powerful step and positive initiative that can change the culture in schools to be a more welcoming place for all.”

Robinson Middle School was one of more than 2,000 schools across the country that celebrated No One Eats Alone Day. The initiative reached more than 1 million students.

No One Eats Alone is sponsored by the Centene Charitable Foundation.