I FOUGHT STIGMA AND SUPPORTED THE STIGMATIZED

My work started many years ago, in 1993, when I was determined to try and overcome the stigma attached mental illness. I was ready to give it my all, and I did give everything I had, still doing so today, in the year 2026.

I openly revealed everything about myself—my name and my experience with bipolar disorder. By doing this I had hoped to encourage others with problems like mine to realize that having mental health challenges was nothing to be ashamed of. At the same time, I hoped to build understanding in the wider world, but especially amongst my fellow Christians.

In 2006, after a lot of prayer and planning, the first Living Room started at Brentwood Park Alliance Church in Burnaby. Its foundation was the unconditional love of Jesus Christ and it offered peer support groups for people struggling with mental health issues. Having a group that dealt with both—their mental health and faith—was much welcomed. One big reason many attended was their experiences with stigma.

Living Room started making a name for itself.

The full amazing story has been hidden for many years, but is finally told in my latest book, One Such as Me. It is a story that shows how much can be accomplished by a person with lived experience. The book does not reveal what happened after.

Starting around the year 2000, I spoke and wrote freely and extensively. My words were widely published in Christian publications and I was asked to speak to groups, even secular ones. I wrote a book, A Firm Place to Stand. In everything I did I testified to how God and his love brought healing to my life and how he can do this in the lives of others with lived experience.

The popular Christian television show, 100 Huntley Street, had an interviewer and camera man follow me around for a day. Living Room was given a twenty-minute spot on the show. It was quickly recognized as an important ministry and dozens of emails followed. Many groups started up as a result throughout Canada, and a few were sprinkled around other parts of the world. It looked like we had the beginning of a movement—the beginning of spiritual mental health support.

But I had a serious mental disorder and was not receiving adequate medication. The excessive stress I was under facilitating my group and supporting other groups, giving one on one support to individuals in crisis, trying to build mental health understanding, as well as looking after a household and aging parents, was overwhelming. Not only that, but in 2013 I had started emailing devotionals to a long list of individuals who needed Living Room support but were unable to come to meetings.

I tried my hardest to find supporters to help me carry the load, but I remained alone with it. In the midst of struggles with bipolar symptoms, I gave everything I possibly could to share God’s love with people who needed it.

But my health failed and I could not hang on. I kept my own group going until 2015, but in July 2014 I accepted the offer of the new Sanctuary Mental Health Ministry to merge with the global part of the Living Room ministry that was trying to plant new groups. I grieved deeply having to make this move. Even today, I feel painful sorrow over how it all transpired.

Multiple tragic events followed. I was ostracized and lost my good reputation, suffering for many years after. I want to tell you this story to show you how stigma can turn even a good life into a tragic one.

More to follow. . .

marja