Patient Perspectives - How has Meridian Health Services’ Connxxions Program helped you?

Written by the INARF 2021 Annual Conference Partner, Meridian Health Services.
​​Charles
“Meridian has helped me deal with my anxiety and depression. They are always there to help me with any kind of situation that I’m going through whether it’s personal or with my finances. ​They are a great group of people. My behavioral clinician helped me with counting down and breathing—he told me to breathe in for 5 seconds and then out for 5 seconds. It has helped me when I’m feeling anxious. I remember him also teaching me about the foods I could eat to be healthier, and I’ve been trying to choose those foods to eat. Also, each week we went to the YMCA to walk laps which helped my confidence to move and be active.”

Maria
“Meridian has helped me with my severe PTSD and depression—I don’t fight with my staff anymore. I have been able to get my job back at Taco Bell and I feel good about that. I like to use deep breathing to help me manage my anxiety when I start to feel upset.  I work on goals and when I meet those goals, I get to do fun things with my staff.  I have a new counselor, Brenda, who is very helpful. She is really interested in how I’m doing, and she has helped me feel better about myself and to see the good parts of my life.”

Ron
“Meridian has helped me learn how to reach out for help when needed and helped me with a level system for my thoughts. Green thoughts mean I’m happy, yellow thoughts mean I have something on my mind to talk about, Orange means I need to get some help from someone I trust and know; and red means I need help and need to call 911.  My Meridian staff helps me check my thoughts and calm them down when I need to.  They have helped me with my hygiene, getting a job.  They have help me to accept the voices in my head and to stabilize my Schizophrenia. I use STAR now, which means Stop, Think, Analyze and Respond – I use it a lot when I’m nervous and it helps me slow down and take my time.  Meridian has also helped me learn about boundaries and body language so, I know what to share with people and what not to share with people. Right now, they are helping me to find an apartment closer to my job, and I want to continue working on being more independent and to save and manage my money.”

Please visit our table at the INARF Annual Conference to learn more about the services we provide and how we might support the people you are serving.