Meaghan Birnie ’15, cofounder of the nonprofit Morgan’s Message, makes a timely visit to Blair during the month of Thanksgiving, an American holiday where loved ones traditionally gather to celebrate the blessings of the past year. Meaghan will be speaking with students about mental health and the importance of speaking up when things don’t feel right either for themselves or for others. 

“We started Morgan’s Message in honor of my late best friend, Morgan, who we lost to suicide,” shared Ms. Birnie in a pre-event interview, anticipating her return to her alma mater on Tuesday, November 19.

The Morgan’s Message’s website shares Morgan’s story, reflecting on her as a beloved daughter, sister, friend and teammate. As Morgan grew older, she got into sports and found her passion in lacrosse. “That’s how I met Morgan,” recited Ms. Birnie, “through lacrosse. Morgan ended up playing in college but then got injured her sophomore year.”

That injury, as written on Morgan’s Message’s website, ultimately led to Morgan’s “[struggle] with [the] abrupt change.” 

“As a result, Morgan’s self-worth plummeted. While she presented a strong, happy and resilient face to her community, she grappled with feeling that she was not living up to her expectations. Her feelings of isolation from the team and stress caused by other relationship issues accelerated the return of anxiety and depression.” 

In the  few years since Morgan’s passing, Ms. Birnie was inspired to honor her friend and also support others going through similar situations. With Morgan’s family and friends, the Blair alum started a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to amplify stories, provide resources to strengthen student-athlete mental health and build a community by and for athletes through peer-to-peer conversations. 

“After we lost Morgan, it became apparent to the founders of our program and myself that there was something that could be done. We asked ourselves, ‘What would have helped Morgan?’ and I am excited to talk to Blair students about my journey, both at and around Blair, as well as the mental struggles I and many others can have. And that it’s okay to be who they are and think what they feel,” shared Ms. Birnie. 

“I’m really grateful to speak with Blair students, and if anything, I’d like to share my own story and how my career path has not been the ‘traditional’ path in the way that society considers. But, unconventional is sometimes beautiful and you can’t fear failure. It’s worth the risk to try, fail, and try again.”

Today, Ms. Birnie juggles studying for her exams in pursuit of her masters in nonprofit administration at the University of Notre Dame through the Mendoza College of Business, spreading the mission of Morgan’s Message, and finding time for herself at her home in Boston, Massachusetts. Upon graduating from Blair, she studied public relations at Penn State where she received her Bachelors of Arts degree. 

All are invited to hear Ms. Birnie speak in the forum of the Chiang-Elghanayan Center next Tuesday at 7 p.m.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or has concerns about their mental health, resources are available to help at the Crisis Text line, 988 Lifeline and the Blair Health Center.  

History of Skeptics
 
The Society of Skeptics was established as a forum for students and faculty to discuss and debate important global issues; it has grown to become one of the premier high school lecture series in the United States. Each week, speakers from the political, social, scientific, economic and literary arenas share their unique perspectives with students, who are encouraged to engage with presenters, asking questions and debating points of view.

The program, which is funded in part by the Class of 1968 Society of Skeptics Endowment Fund, is an outgrowth of the Blair International Society, begun in 1937. Forty years later, former history department chair Elliott Trommald, PhD, Hon. ’65, established the modern Skeptics program as a regular forum for student discussion and debate; history teacher Martin Miller, PhD, took over in the mid-1980s and molded the program into a weekly lecture series, one that has since continued without interruption. Under the tutelage of Dr. Miller and his successor, history department chair Jason Beck, Skeptics has featured a wide variety of speakers who are thought-provoking, engaging, accomplished in their respective fields and often controversial. For a listing of upcoming Skeptics programs, please visit Blair’s website.