Alumna Adrienne Barr ’07 is raising awareness of mental health in the Black community with her new children’s book Dancing with Butterflies.
Barr, who has dealt with her own mental health issues, originally had no plans of releasing this book, but was encouraged by classmates to share this story. She hopes the book ignites tough, but necessary conversations about mental health among families, especially those of color.
“I hope that it opens the channel for us to have more conversations with our children, particularly about issues like anxiety,” Barr said. “We need to be more intentional about ensuring that our cup is completely filled and that we're taking proper care of ourselves.”
According to the American Psychiatric Association only 1 in 3 African Americans who need mental health care receives it. As the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lists, minorities are less likely to receive diagnosis and treatment for their mental illness, have less access to mental health services and often receive a poorer quality of mental health care.
At Johnson C. Smith University, students not only have access to mental healthcare through the Center for Counseling Services, but they are currently receiving additional services (for free) during the pandemic through SmithiteCare, a 24-hour telehealth service.
“I want us to get back to a time where we're there to support each other, without judgment, and helping each other with problems through conversations,” she said.
Barr, who works in human resources, also emphasized the employee assistance programs available to people through their employers. “If you are going through a mental health crisis, you can confidentially get help through the EAP program.”
Barr’s book is available for purchase on Amazon and AuthorAdrienneBarr.com.
