Dr. Gariane Gunter
Dr. Gariane Gunter, a native of Batesburg- Leesville educated at the University of South Carolina, has completed her reign as Mrs. United States 2009. She recently finished her residency in general psychiatry and is now participating in a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Palmetto Health. Over the last year, she has traveled the country educating and working with mental health professionals, her goal being to reduce the stigma against those with mental illness.
In her farewell speech Gunter said, “As the mother of a three- year- old princess, I read a lot of fairy tales. However, over the last year, I have had the opportunity to live one. I am forever grateful to the author of my story, almighty God, for His bringing me to and guiding me down this road. The courageous patients, families, and caregivers I have met on this journey are such an inspiration. Their faces and stories of their trials as well as their triumphs motivate me daily in the fight against stigma.”
Gunter said one of the highlights as Mrs. United States was visiting schools and talking with children about the message of mental health. She feels progress is being made.
Gunter used the “Breaking the Silence” program created by NAMI (the National Alliance for Mental Illness) in her home town of Batesburg- Leesville. It is an educational package designed to teach students about serious mental illness. The curriculum uses stories to humanize serious mental illness and to teach that these illnesses are no- fault brain disorders.
This leads to a facilitated classroom discussion of mental health issues and diagnoses with children in elementary, middle, and high schools.
Gunter said the USC Department of Neuropsychiatry helped to make this happen by working with her and her travel schedule because the message of her reign as Mrs. United States 2009 was mental health.
She felt fortunate to take her husband, Tracy, and their three- year- old daughter, Isabella, with them on every trip. Isabella is the reigning Wee Miss Tiny Tot South Carolina 2009 and has won other titles. Gunter feels having her daughter involved in pageants is just like having a child in after school sports. It builds self esteem, self confidence, and teaches her that sometimes she wins, and sometimes she loses.
Gunter plans to graduate in May, 2011, and continue to work with the mental health needs of the children and adults of South Carolina.
Gunter is available for speaking engagements. Contact her at gariane.gunter@palmettohealth. com.
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