School cafeterias usually are abuzz with activity at lunch time – there’s usually a lot of chatter as students take a few minutes to decompress from the rigors of the classroom. But cafeterias also can be a place where students can experience social isolation. Conjure up an image of a student eating alone in a cafeteria and you get the picture.
In an effort to raise awareness about the negative effect social isolation can have on young people’s mental health – and academic performance – WellCare of North Carolina is bringing No One Eats Alone Day to a couple of area schools.
Clarke Elementary in Henderson was scheduled to participate today (Friday, Mar. 4) and G.C. Hawley Middle School in Creedmoor is slated to participate on Mar. 10, according to information from WellCare. Henderson YMCA will be the third site in the area to participate, scheduled for Mar. 24.
Billed as “a positive prevention initiative designed to promote inclusion and a culture of belonging in middle schools,” No One Eats Alone Day was created by the nonprofit Beyond Differences.
According to a press statement, students “will learn about social isolation and the negative impact it can have on mental health and academic performance, while also being encouraged to create new friendships. Mental health is especially important now as students experience the growing stressors due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its social isolation effects.”
The area schools and the YMCA join thousands of schools across the country that will celebrate No One Eats Alone Day. The initiative will reach more than a million students in all 50 U.S. states. No One Eats Alone Day is sponsored by the Centene Charitable Foundation.
WellCare of North Carolina provides government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex needs primarily through Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans across the state. WellCare of North Carolina is one of the state’s Medicaid Prepaid Health Plans (PHPs). Visit www.wellcare.com/nc to learn more.