Transforming Student Support: The School Pulse Approach | Episode 115 with Iuri Melo

Drug Prevention Power Hour: Empowering Leaders in Youth Drug Prevention

Drug Prevention Power Hour: Empowering Leaders in Youth Drug Prevention
Transforming Student Support: The School Pulse Approach | Episode 115 with Iuri Melo
Jun 23, 2025
Jake White

In this episode of the Drug Prevention Power Hour, host Jake White speaks with Yuri Melo, a licensed clinical social worker and co-founder of School Pulse, a proactive student support service. The conversation delves into the tragic events that inspired the creation of School Pulse, the importance of transitioning from reactive to proactive mental health support in schools, and the user experience for students engaging with the program. They discuss crisis management protocols, the significance of prevention in mental health, and the positive impact of School Pulse on students and communities.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:37 The Genesis of School Pulse
06:30 Proactive vs. Reactive Approaches in Schools
11:29 User Experience and Engagement with School Pulse
16:29 Crisis Management and Support Systems
21:43 The Importance of Prevention in Mental Health
26:41 Conclusion and Resources
30:54 Engaging Youth in Substance Use Education

Takeaways

  • Yuri Melo co-founded School Pulse after a series of teen suicides in his community.
  • School Pulse aims to provide proactive support to students through text and email.
  • The program engages students with positive content and wellness questionnaires.
  • Schools often struggle with mental health resources and need support systems like School Pulse.
  • Crisis management protocols are in place to support students in need.
  • The program emphasizes the importance of prevention over intervention.
  • Parents are invited to participate in the support system for transparency.
  • School Pulse provides real-time data to schools about student wellbeing.
  • The initiative has expanded to over 300 schools across multiple states.
  • Yuri believes in the potential of students and the importance of providing them with tools for success.

Links:
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/iuritiagomelo
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iuri-melo-1b41482/
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/iuritmelo/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SchoolPulsePodcast/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=2
Know Thy Selfie - t.ly/juUMB
Mind Over Grey Matter - t.ly/SxNUU

For feedback, questions and new episode ideas...

jake@vive18.com
instagram.com/vive18_

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