M i s s i o n P e a k U n i t a r i a n U n i v e r s a l i s t C o n g r e g a t i o n
"A Spiritual Community of Caring Hearts and Open Minds"
Minister fights mental illness through faith
Fremont woman found God in her struggle to regain control
by Jonathan Jones, Staff Writer, Fremont Argus, Fremont, CA
November 14, 2005 pages 1, 9
BARBARA F. MEYERS' world began to crack apart in August 1978 at her Fremont home. She was 31-years-old, happily married, employed at IBM and recently had given birth to her first child.
Psychologists say 70 percent to 80 percent of all women who give birth experience scone sort of postpartum depression. But for Meyers, the feelings of depression, anger, anxiety and guilt seemed overwhelming. She became severely depressed and unable to complete simple daily tasks
"I had a lot of anxiety." Meyers said "I would sit In a chair all day, unable to do anything. I couldn't sleep, eat or cook."
Although she had no idea at the time, it was the beginning of an eight-year struggle with bipolar disorder. a psychological condition that causes extreme shifts in mood.
In Meyers' case, her experience with mental illness took an unexpected turn in 1986. While sitting in a board meeting during a business trip, Meyers recalled seeing halos above the heads of several workers.
Meyers, now 58, said she believed then and continues to believe today, that the halos whether they were delusional hallucinations or not - was a sign from God that helped her to turn to faith for enlightenment and spiritual awareness.
"I hadn't been to church in years, but I felt God was trying to tell me something," she said. I realized that each person was unique and special to God simply for who they are.
Today, Meyers no longer works at IBM. She is a community minister for Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation and provides pastoral care for people with mental illness and their families, in the congregation and at the Reaching Across clinic in Fremont.
She has also written the curriculum, "The Caring Congregation Handbook," a training manual for congregations looking to be more supportive of people with mental disorders.
For families, few conditions are as draining as mental illness. Meyers said she hopes the curriculum helps churches and clergy play more of a role in understanding and acceptance of people with mental illness by honoring the spiritual component of coping with the disorders.
"Faith gave me hope and it gave me some balance," she said. "It gave me a community of people who cared and made it comfortable to ask important questions like: 'why are we here?' and 'what is important in life?' "
Arthur Holder, dean of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley who worked as an Episcopal minister for nine years. said historically religious Institutions have looked at people with mental illnesses as being possessed by demons or evil spirits.
But in recent years, many religious groups have refined their view of mental illness and looked more closely at what their role should be.
Holder said while religious communities cannot take the place of psychiatry and modern medicine, they can play an important role in a holistic approach to treating mental illness.
"The religious community is one of the few groups in contemporary society where a person belongs regardless of where they work or what they do,"- Holder said. It is a place where people are appreciated just for being themselves."
The Rev. Geoffrey Baraan, a priest at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Union City who has dealt with mental illness in his own family, said people often turn to their clergy for trust and understanding.
"We play an important role in their lives. We're not professionals, but we should be willing to he there for them," Baraan said. We can help them deal with their issues and also help them find a place for professional help.
Meyers said she believes congregations are beginning to take mental health Issues more seriously. But there is still a long way to go before mental health support groups are as common in places of worship as Alcoholic Anonymous groups.
As religious traditions continue to embrace mental health issues, Meyers said faith communities will play an important part in reducing the stigma of mental Illness in society.
There is a need for the church to be responsive to people with mental disorders and depression." she said. "It needs to be a community that is not afraid to talk about these issues and help people under-stand that mental Illness does not rob you of being someone special in God's eyes."
Jonathan Jones covers religious, ethnic and cultural issues for The Argus. He can be reached by calling (510) 353-7OO5 or e-mailing jjones@angnewspapers.com.
