How does one overcome the wounds and trauma of living in a dysfunctional family burdened by a parent with severe mental illness?
Find out in Howard Meyer’s memoir.
For those who have experienced mental illness firsthand or have a loved one living with a mental health condition, I wish to offer support and comfort. Mental illness is usually misunderstood, stigmatized, or even demonized in our society, and I want to change that narrative. My goal is to break the stigma surrounding mental health, inspire resilience in the face of adversity, and empower individuals to discover their own journey toward healing, growth, and fulfillment. Together, we can create a culture of compassion and hope.
I am a multifaceted theatre professional with extensive experience as a produced playwright, theatre director, and program director of an acting studio. As an acting teacher, I have mentored countless students, shaping their craft and preparing them for careers in the performing arts.
As a business owner, I have successfully managed both the creative and operational aspects of running a theatre company and acting school. My entrepreneurial spirit and leadership have played a vital role in sustaining and growing the organization.
I am proud to have co-founded a professional theatre company and acting school, which is now celebrating its 20th anniversary season. For two decades, we have provided a strong platform for actors, playwrights, and theatre professionals, fostering artistic excellence and building a thriving creative community.
This memoir offers a deeply personal and honest account of growing up in a family shaped by mental illness, navigating the chaos of a father’s Bipolar I disorder and my own battle with depression. It sheds light on the struggles, resilience, and healing process, offering hope to those facing similar challenges. Through the support of medical professionals, therapists, and spiritual teachers, it tells a story of transformation, strength, and the journey toward a fulfilling life.
When I was 13 months old, I sat in the backseat of my parents’ Chevy Impala, on the way to my father’s first of many stays in a mental institution. Soon after, he was diagnosed with Bi-Polar I disorder, a severe mental illness that would shape our family’s life. His outbursts were unpredictable, confusing, and often violent. As difficult as that was, it was only the beginning of my story.
As a teenager, I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, a mental illness I had been quietly battling for years. This memoir tells the story of what it was like growing up in a family marked by mental illness and how, with the help of medical professionals, therapists, and spiritual teachers, I found my way to a life of healing, success, and contentment. It’s a journey of resilience, overcoming adversity, and discovering my own strength.
I am a multifaceted theatre professional with extensive experience as a produced playwright, theatre director, and program director of an acting studio.
