WORD ABOUT ME SPREAD – MY STORY Word about me as a person who could speak about mental health and faith issues started to spread. In 2005, shortly after joining the Brentwood Park congregation, the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division (CMHA, BC Div.) asked me to write about mental illness and the Church. This […]
Read More...COMING OUT – MY STORY In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause. Psalm 25:1-3 […]
Read More...HEALING I’m very grateful to Light Magazine for publishing my article, Following a Radical Jesus: Addressing the Effects of Stigma. I hope you will have some time to read it. You might be moved to ask, “But what does it all mean to me as a follower of Christ?” To answer questions this article might […]
Read More...A RADICAL JESUS Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. Matthew 4:23-24 […]
Read More...Part 2 of my story I woke up in a ward with many empty beds. I was the only one there. Looking at the chart on the nightstand, I found out I was at Crease Clinic. This place had a bad reputation. In fact, it was the object of many cruel jokes. I pulled the […]
Read More...HEALING THE EFFECTS OF STIGMA Introducing a booklet that will show you how. This 48-page book follows upon the recent publication of my book, In the Name of Jesus: Spiritual Support for Mental Health Challenges, which shows the pain and suffering of those who have been stigmatized because of their mental health challenges. It shows […]
Read More...IN THE NAME OF JESUS This is what people with mental health challenges want to tell us: We are looked down on. We are not understood. Our truths are not believed. We are shunned rejected, excluded. We are made to feel ashamed. Our abilities are often underrated. Our opinions are not respected. We are […]
Read More...IN THE NAME OF JESUS How can the pain of stigma be reduced? How can the good in those of us with lived experience be recognized and affirmed? We need to have caring people to build us up. And followers of Christ are among the best individuals to make this happen because they have Jesus […]
Read More...IN THE NAME OF JESUS You have probably heard me say the following before, but it bears repeating. Much is being done to reduce stigma. But reducing stigma is not nearly enough. Something important is being overlooked. The voices of those who are to benefit, those with lived experience, are not being heard. And it’s […]
Read More...IN THE NAME OF JESUS I am concerned. Because I, and others with mental health conditions, are not being heard. Although I’m not a trained counselor or pastor, I have known Jesus for a very long time, especially close to him during times of suffering. Through him and the words he has given me, I […]
Read More...© 2026 Marja Bergen
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