My Health Story: Tiarria Burrell

Tiarria Burrell
Benton Harbor Student Health Center
Intercare Community Health Network

I have had the magnificent pleasure of visiting and getting a better understanding of the school based health clinic, and all the wonderful people who work there. I felt like they cared for me and helped build a clear understanding of what they were there for. They also gave me a home like setting which I found helpful when I’m there. The School Based Health Clinic has helped me in so many different ways and I will tell you why.

I am welcomed by smiles which helps me realize there are good people In this world. They have allowed their present to uplift me and my peers even in our darkest times. They have people that we can come talk to and get advice from without being judged which gives me hope. I was once in the shadows but I have slowly lighted my personality because of the access I have had to the opportunities the school based health clinic have provided for students like me.

They hold all my information to the comfort of me, which gives me a sense of trust and for me that’s big. I never have to worry about anything getting out or being left out. They always provide me with well detailed information and extra if it’s something to better me. There are a lot of things I didn’t know about until I came to the clinic such as: STD and STI prevention, sugar shockers, and all the different awareness methods they provide. Now I get to share all that important information with my peers to help my community a better place.

To conclude, I love my student based health clinic and the things they do for me. From a little band-aid to a full check up I thank everyone for caring about my health. I enjoy and cherish everyone who works there and have the most utmost respect for all of them. I know that any student that walks in or out of that clinic has had a positive experience and was helped by nothing but the best.

About the My Health Story Contest

School-Based Health Care Awareness Month is the time each year that we pause to celebrate the value of school-based, school-linked and school wellness programs. This year, we asked youth across Michigan to tell us how a School-Based or School-linked Health Center has improved their health and helped them to succeed in school. Contestants wereasked to submit an essay about their experiences with a Health Center. Stories will be posted daily on our website beginning in February during Awareness Month to the end of April when we host advocacy day. You can see all the contest entries here.