Eme Williams has not only acknowledged mental health challenges in teenagers but also combatted resource unavailability artfully beyond her age.
The 15-year-old released a book to help, “The Art of Mindfulness: Creative Art Therapy Practices for the Mental & Emotional Well-Being of Teens”, launched during a community event this spring in her hometown of Danville.
Williams said she intended to provide an artistic outlet for teenagers to address their individual struggles in a way that was true and authentic to her, inspired by her own journey through mental adversity.
“I chose art as a means of therapy because, for most of my life, I have used art as an outlet to help me overcome any anxiety or stress,” Williams told DanvilleSanRamon.com. “The positive impact of art in my life inspired me to incorporate it in my art therapy book for teens to explore.”
Williams’ book launch was part of the Discovery Counseling Center of the San Ramon Valley’s informational booth in downtown Danville during the Devil Mountain Run on May 19.
“Additionally, based on the expertise of clinicians from the Discovery Counseling Center, art is a wonderful alternative to verbal therapy for patients who prefer to express their emotions nonverbally,” she said.
Williams also shed light on the connection to her Girl Scouts program in a statement announcing her book release.
“Coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Month, the launch is a significant part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project, with printed copies donated to the center to aid in their mission,” the statement reads.
Though Williams accomplished many things with her book, including opportunities to work with organizations she supports, she said the most rewarding gift of all was the response she received from local communities.
“Once I released my book back in May, I was pleasantly surprised with the community’s response. I presented my project and the book at the Discovery Counseling Center Board of Directors’ meeting, the Contra Costa Mental Health Commission meeting, and the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors’ meeting,” she said.
“Many members of the Mental Health Commission are mental health advocates and representatives of various nonprofit groups. These representatives are interested in the art therapy book and invited me to share the importance and value of art therapy with the groups of kids they work with,” Williams added.
Williams also shared that at the book launch event, several members of the community supported her efforts to advocate for art therapy by purchasing the book or asking how they could donate and continue to support teen mental health.
“I was in awe with the magnitude of support I received and learned how many people advocate for teen mental health resources,” Williams said.
