Staff were cha-cha sliding and shuffling to iconic songs at the first-ever Let’s Dance! event at Hall Mercer Community Mental Health Center. Hosted by the Hall Mercer Antiracism Collective during Black History Month, the event invited all staff to celebrate Black Joy through dance.
“We wanted to step away from the heavier topics in our history. Our story is more than pain,” said Dominique Bibbs, MHS, clinician supervisor in Child Services at Hall Mercer. “Part of our history is also joyful, and we wanted to spread joy and positivity at this event.”
Staff were introduced to various line dances, led by Adrienne Harmon, coordinator of the Hall Mercer Emergency Intellectual Disabilities Program, who has previously taught dance classes outside of PAH. Together, the group laughed, sang songs, and danced with each other, taking a short break from their daily tasks at the hospital. For those who joined PAH during the peak of the pandemic, with limited in-person gatherings, the event served as an opportunity to meet new people.
Photo Credit: Anthony Boyd, Relief Security Supervisor
“Dance and movement can be healing and connect people together,” said Hilary Coulter, LCSW, adult outpatient clinician at Hall Mercer. “It was a way for people to have fun and embrace happiness.”