Regional Students Increase Public Education About Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health

Barrington, RI – (February 11, 2019) – One in Five Americans live with a mental illness but nearly two-thirds do not seek treatment. Students across the East Bay Region recently put their creative skills to work to educate the public and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use disorder.

Over the past few months, students from Bristol, Warren, Barrington, and East Providence submitted original posters & videos to the East Bay Regional Coalition’s contest. The Coalition provided a pre-approved list of statistics on which participants based their visual representation of the information.

A panel of judges has chosen a winning poster and video with each receiving a grand prize of $500. All qualifying submissions will be on display across the community, with the award ceremony and exhibit opening on February 17, at 2pm in the Barrington Library. Join us for an afternoon of education as we unveil the artwork and honor the artists who have participated.

The East Bay Regional Coalition’s gallery exhibit is made possible by funding from the RI Dept. of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals as well as support from the RI Foundation, the Friends of the Barrington Library and the BAY Team as part of their program entitled, It’s Time We Talk: connecting the community through a series of discussions and events promoting emotional well-being.