For too long the perception of mental health and spirituality were viewed as opposites rather than correlatives. Some within the church still view mental health challenges as a demonic, antagonistic and an unwelcome force within their congregation.
This view has led many with mental health issues to live in secret, opting to hide their challenges from the very place -- at least in theory -- that should be open, affirming and safe.
But the Rev. Barbara Meyers of the Community Minister at Mission Peak Universalist Congregation in Fremont is working to break this unfortunate stereotype. Myers is the host of "Mental Health Matters," the award-winning 30-minute, public-access broadcast.
The goal of the broadcast -- and, by extension, Myers' ministry -- is stated clearly on its Web site: "To understand, improve and uplift the lives of people with mental health difficulties and their families."
The show can be viewed by Comcast subscribers each month throughout Alameda County.
For nearly two years, Myers has valiantly offered a safe haven for viewers who had felt it necessary to take a vow of secrecy rather than risk the humiliation of being discovered.
On topics ranging from depression to grief to bipolar disorder to schizophrenia, Myers leaves no stone unturned. She also tackles mental health issues specific to communities of color and the social stigmas associated.
Myers came to this invaluable enterprise because she, too, had mental health issues. She worked as an IBM executive for 25 years before deciding to take a few courses at Star King School for the Ministry in Berkeley. This led to a master of divinity degree, retirement from IBM and the pursuit of a new life calling.
Myers was approached by Paul Clifford, a member of her congregation, about a public access project focused on mental health. At the time, Clifford was producing another public-access, cable-TV show and thought Meyers should produce a program about mental health. By her own admission, Myers was somewhat reluctant to take Clifford up on his proposal, but he made her an offer she couldn't refuse. Clifford loaned Meyers his crew and his studio time to do a pilot episode.
In the initial episode, Meyers discussed the stigma surrounding mental illness. After the pilot aired, the response received disabused Myers of her initial reluctance. She saw the potential of reaching far more than the members of her congregation.
She recruited a crew from within her congregation, some of whom either had family members with mental illness or they themselves had mental health issues. Some crews were composed of individuals who wanted experience in television.
A grant from the Alameda County Mental Health Association covers some of the costs associated with producing the program. Moreover, the county works with Myers to select topics for airing.
The social stigma that exists around mental illness not only in the church but society at-large belies its pervasiveness among families and communities. Studies indicate roughly 20 percent of the populace lives with some form of mental illness at any given time. This social stigma causes far too many to suffer in silence.
In 2004, I wrote a column on mental health revealing my own challenges regarding mental health. That piece garnered the largest response of any column I've written to date. I received e-mail from across the country, individuals sharing their stories with me that they had not disclosed to their families.
Myers also shared with me that whenever she gives public presentations, she asks those to stand who either suffer from mental illness or have someone close to them who does. According to Myers, more than half of the room stands.
Myers' work is truly a ground breaking resource within Alameda County. For those not living in Alameda County, they can go to www.mpuuc.org/mentalhealth/mentalTVshow.html, to view previous shows including one with yours truly.
It can't get any safer than that, to see that you or a loved one are not alone, and that there is no good reason to suffer in silence.
Byron Williams is an Oakland pastor and syndicated columnist. He is the author of Strip Mall Patriotism: Moral Reflections of the Iraq War. E-mail him at byron@byronspeaks.com or visit his website: byronspeaks.com