From STROLL – North Woods of Yorktown
Travel down the rabbit hole to a world of wonderment and surprise at Meridian Health Services’ Rialzo XII – Wonderland where “Nothing’s Impossible!” This year’s Alice in Wonderland-themed charity gala will be held on Saturday, May 6 and will return to the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie where Rialzo was hosted for its first ten years.
Attendees will enjoy fundraising that will leave you “MAD” with excitement while enjoying dinner, dancing, and spectacular entertainment by Rialzo arts partners Muncie Civic Theatre, Orchestra Indiana and Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Additionally, the national party band, Universal Crush, will perform live on the Rialzo stage. Attendees should come dressed to impress in Rialzo XII-themed colors of purple, light blue, black, and floral prints – black tie optional.
“Rialzo XII will raise funds to support the dire need for increased mental and physical health services for children in schools through Meridian’s School-Based Health Clinics,” said Beth Clark, Meridian’s Vice President of Marketing & Development.
The nation is grappling with a youth mental health crisis. The Centers for Disease Control found that not only is suicide the third-leading cause of death for youth ages 15-19, but one in four adolescents ages 12-17 have had a substance use disorder or a major depressive episode. Moreover, according to Mental Health America, 56 percent of Indiana’s youth with a major depressive episode did not receive mental health services in the past year. Mental and physical health go hand-in-hand so while one suffers so does the other. Meridian understands the whole-person health integration of the mind, body, and social well-being to achieve optimal health.
Meridian Health Services provides integrated mental and physical health care for children in schools through school-based health clinics and clinical services. This essential presence in schools broadens access to much-needed services for students, teachers, families, and the community at-large. Funds raised at Rialzo will help youth mental and physical health through our partnership with Muncie Community Schools to provide and expand school-based services for children and adolescents in need. In a recent national survey, school teachers and superintendents reported that youth mental health was the most pressing issue facing schools and students today, and the services for this are in desperate need.
Alice in Wonderland is symbolic of the many changes and trials children face. Often, growing up feels like you are traveling down a rabbit hole that is dark and filled with mystery at every corner as you navigate life. For some, the rabbit hole may include issues at home, bullies, inadequate access to health care, and more that leave a child desperately seeking “Wonderland.” Luckily, just like Alice had the white rabbit and the Mad Hatter – Meridian Health is there to help navigate children to a place where “Nothing’s Impossible!” by offering physical, behavioral, and socially well services.
“Meridian is making a difference by providing safe and easy to access locations in schools for children to receive a broad spectrum of whole-person health services that they may otherwise not have access to,” shared Lisa Suttle, Meridian’s Regional Vice President of Clinical Services. “We’ve seen many children come to us with a physical need that is also experiencing a mental health concern. With our presence in schools, we can quickly address these issues with our integrated health services.”
Rialzo, Italian for “to elevate or rise above,” represents Meridian’s mission to improve lives and make communities healthier through an emphasis on whole-person health. Since the first Rialzo in 2010, the annual charity gala has raised over one million dollars to support Meridian Health Services programs and services and has benefited thousands of people in need throughout Indiana.
Feel the energy and see the impact at Rialzo XII on Saturday, May 6. Learn more and purchase tickets at rialzo.meridianhs.org/2023. Those interested in becoming a sponsor should contact Christy Skeens, Development Director of Fundraising and Events, at 765-254-5369 or email Christy.Skeens@MeridianHS.org.