Ben Lomond resident Dyane Harwood is in the process of defeating her bipolar disorder, but she’s not doing it alone. She’s launching a peer support group at Mountain Community Resources in Felton for women with bipolar disorder or depression.
Harwood was diagnosed with bipolar disorder three years ago at the age of 37, after the birth of her second daughter. She struggled with severe mood swings, depression and other symptoms of the mental illness.
Her father also dealt with bipolar disorder for most of his life.
“My dad was a gifted violinist in the Los Angeles Philharmonic for many years and lived an extremely functional life, some of the time,” she said. “Growing up, I would notice that sometimes he would completely shut down, unable to leave his room.”
Harwood said that her father was hospitalized many times and took numerous medications.
“Mental illness has the power to destroy a family, just like any other physical illness,” she said.
Many people who suffer from these diseases feel as if they cannot tell people in their workplace and personal lives or even some of their family members that they have bipolar disorder or depression, Harwood said.
She is determined to reduce the stigma of bipolar disorder and depression in her lifetime — one of her the reasons for starting the support group.
“There are women we encounter who seem like they are ‘fine,’ but they may be suffering from a mental illness and could use a confidential outlet like a support group,” Harwood said. “I know this because I have been approached by some of them, and they are our neighbors and friends. I know that having a local support group for women can only be a positive element of our community.”
Boulder Creek parent and teacher Denise Schlaman, for one, is looking forward to attending.
“I hid my depression because it was ‘shameful’ and I should just ‘snap out of it,’” Schlaman said.
Local professionals agree the group would be helpful.
“Women with these challenges can benefit greatly from a group like this,” said Ann Andrews, a marriage and family therapist who lives in the San Lorenzo Valley. “They begin to realize they’re not alone.”
The group will meet the first Friday of each month at Mountain Community Resources Center. It will be a peer group with no professionals on hand to moderate, although a mental health therapist might join later to help moderate.
“I don’t want these group meetings to be ‘pity parties,’” Harwood said. “However, there will definitely be heavy emotions and themes discussed. My dream for this group is for our local women with bipolar and/or depression to feel less isolated and to help bolster one another with comfort, courage, inspiration and empathy.”
At a glance
• WHAT: Peer support group for women with bipolar disorder or depression
• WHEN: 6 to 7 p.m., first Friday of each month
• WHERE: Mountain Community Resources, 6134 Highway 9, in Felton
• INFO: Dyane Harwood, 345-7190 or dyane
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