Mrs. United States 2008

Gariane Gunter M.D. Mrs. United States 2008

Gariane Gunter goes by several different names and titles.  Her husband calls her “Baby”.  Two-year-old Isabella calls her “Mommy”.  Her patients call her “Doctor”.  Her Sunday school students call her “Miss Gariane”.  Her state called her “Mrs. South Carolina” and now she is “Mrs. United States”.  What does she call herself?  Without hesitation, “Blessed” and thanks God for the gift of life He gives her each day to spend with her high-school sweetheart, now husband of four years, Tracy and their beautiful daughter Isabella Grace.

This year as Mrs. United States, and daily as a Psychiatrist, Gariane is fighting to eliminate the negative stigma of mental illness.  Her crown is serving as a microphone, as this title has given her a greater opportunity to be a voice across this great nation for patients with mental illness and their families.  She is very excited to be introducing and teaching an anti-stigma/mental health awareness program by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), called “Breaking the Silence-Teaching the Next Generation About Mental Illness”, into her hometown elementary school as well as additional schools this year.  She believes that educating our children about mental illness now, will arm them against stigma in the future and encourage them to reach out for help if they should need it.  Gariane’s goal is to shed light on the stereotypical view of people with mental illness as being dangerous, incapable or lazy so that they may be seen for whom they truly are-our neighbors, family and friends.

“I just feel so blessed to be the wife of my prince charming, the mother or our little girl and now to have this incredible opportunity to make a difference in our world.  I consider it an honor to represent today’s contemporary married woman.”

If you or someone you love is suffering from a mental illness and needs help, please visit www.nami.org or contact your local mental health center for guidance.  Treatment works!!