Arp, Big Sandy, Odessa Schools Join Superior HealthPlan To Celebrate National No One Eats Alone Day

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Feb 15, 2019, 07:00 ET

AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A positive prevention initiative designed to promote inclusion in middle schools was celebrated earlier this month by Big Sandy Junior High in Big Sandy, TX, Arp Junior High in Arp, TX and at Bowie Middle School in Odessa.

Representatives from Superior HealthPlan hosted an assembly in honor of National No One Eats Alone® Day, created by the non-profit Beyond Differences™. Students participated in activities designed to teach them about social isolation and the negative impact it can have on a student's health and academic performance. They then demonstrated inclusion and sat with students at lunch who they didn't know, or who may have felt left out. They were given ice breaker topics to discuss to highlight their commonalities.

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

"Once again we were proud to join local schools in Texas in supporting this important cause," said Mark Sanders, President and CEO of Superior HealthPlan. "We believe these kinds of partnerships are critical in helping to spread a positive message of inclusion, which often can help improve holistic health and academic performance."

"Social isolation is a preventable public health problem," says Laura Talmus, co-founder and executive director of Beyond Differences. "We've learned through teachers and families that No One Eats Alone Day is a powerful step and positive initiative that can change the culture in schools to be a more welcoming place for all."

The three schools joined more than 2,250 schools across the country to celebrate National No One Eats Alone Day. The initiative reached more than 1 million students in all 50 states.

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

About Superior HealthPlan
Founded in 1999, Superior HealthPlan is a managed care company that delivers quality healthcare throughout Texas. Committed to transforming the health of the community, one person at a time, Superior supports active local involvement in all 254 Texas counties with 3700 employees in 9 offices throughout the state. Superior is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading multi-national healthcare enterprise offering both core Medicaid and specialty services. More information on Superior can be found at www.SuperiorHealthPlan.com.

SOURCE Superior HealthPlan