How ‘Spraypaintguy’ helped spread message of recovery at Houston VA
VA News ·
Viral artist 'Spraypaintguy' visited Houston VA to share a message of recovery, mental health awareness and hope for Veterans through art and social media.
Content creator Liam Weis, known to his 450,000-plus followers as “Spraypaintguy,” built his platform by walking up to strangers and asking to turn their T-shirt or hoodie into a canvas. Some of his posts have gotten more than 1 million views.
When he visited the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston recently, he picked an unexpected canvas: the white lab coat of Dr. Deleene Menefee, program director of Houston VA’s PTSD Clinical Team.
Weis’s own journey with substance abuse and recovery is well known to his followers and is part of what turned his artistic talent into a platform with purpose. Veterans, he said, hold a special place in his heart, with his grandparents and uncle all serving in the military.
“Veterans have sacrificed so much for our country,” he said. “My own recovery has shaped my interest in mental health advocacy, and it was great to learn about all the help VA has to offer Veterans.”
For Menefee, who has spent her career treating women Veterans and Veterans with PTSD, the format was unconventional, but the message was familiar. Recovery, she often said, isn’t one-size-fits-all.
“We want Veterans to know that Houston VA is here for them, no matter what,” she said.
According to Menefee, meeting Weis and seeing firsthand his commitment to spreading messages of recovery was impressive.
“It was clear to me that Liam has a heart for Veterans and a heart for recovery,” she said. “His artistic talent is incredible and his caring and compassion for others is obvious. I’m not surprised he has such a large following.”
Houston VA is experiencing unprecedented growth , with more than 1,400 new Veterans enrolling for healthcare in August. The medical center’s PTSD Clinical Team is working hard to tailor a variety of evidence-based treatments to the individual Veteran, not the diagnosis.
“Treatment works, and recovery is possible,” Menefee said. “It is truly our honor and privilege to serve those who have served.”
If you’re a Veteran struggling, or you know one who is, help is available 24/7: