Dr. Gariane Gunter, a psychiatrist in South Carolina recently crowned Mrs. United States, will dedicate her reign to raising public awareness about mental illness.
Gunter is currently teaching “Breaking the Silence,” a curriculum designed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), to all fifth grade classes at an elementary school in her hometown.
“Just one lesson on mental illness could make all the difference in the lives of young people whose lives have been thrown tragically off course by no fault brain disorders such as: Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Panic Disorder.”
“Much of the stigma associated with mental illness is a fear of the unknown.”
“Teaching our children that mental illness is a physical illness affecting the brain and making them aware of potential signs and symptoms will help replace stigma with compassion and encourage them to reach out for help if they should ever need it.”