Community Impact Stories

“I told myself yes, I can do it.” -- Gloria Bryant

“I bought an over the counter drug called “nervine.”  I drank so many bottles to calm my nerves I broke out with a rash.  It helped hold me together.  I tried to play crazy with my husband to get him to stop beating on me and leave me alone, but that did not work.  But that is how I knew I was struggling mentally,” she said.

“My family did not know I struggled mentally. Although some of my women friends did, but my family did not,” she adds.  “I felt so bad about myself.  I thought I was ugly.  I was so beaten down.  I loved my kids too much to want to hurt myself.  That time of life harmed me and I struggled with it. It is hard to make a real decision.  Hard to stay grounded,” she explains

“In the Senior Full Service Wellness program at Family Service Agency I get to talk to staff.  I get to let staff, like my nurse Debby, know how I am feeling inside.  Staff listen to me when I am upset,” She said. “I really benefit from having regular staff to talk to when I need it.”

Gloria’s life in San Francisco has had its hardships too. In 1972 she got an apartment in Hunter’s Point.  “In 1974, I meet a man I loved.  He was my sweetheart.  He was respectful.  He was so wonderful to me both financially and emotionally.  He made see my beauty,” she said

“At the time, I was seeing a Nurse Practitioner at Geriatric Southeast Mission Clinic.  I needed intensive support and therapy.  My anger was so out of control!  I lost my 5-bedroom section 8 house because they said I didn’t need a five-bedroom home when my children were gone.  My son was murdered in 2007.  I broke down.  I couldn’t do anything including paying my rent.  I lost my home, couldn’t cope, and had a nervous breakdown.” She says.

“I was in and out of general hospital. I thought about suicide, and then  I was evicted.  That is how I became homeless and a client at SFSW.”  She explains. “Mental health care at FSA has really helped.  I like the therapy with Debby and the relaxation techniques she taught me.  We have fun.  We always end therapy with the two of us laughing. Yoshiko, my case manager, has helped me lots also.”

When asked what she’d like to achieve to have a more stable life, she explains that socializing with peers is important.  “Being able to communicate is a big part of who I am.  I can say something to cheer someone else up and they can say something to cheer me up. Seniors, disabled, and children are my special people and they should never be harmed,” she says. “Believe it or not I want to go to City College and take classes just for fun.   I want to take horticultural or needlepoint classes.  Continue to learn the computer,” she concluded.

To those who say people with mental health and substance abuse cannot recover, she cautions:  “Honey, that is a lie!  You have to find your strength.  Give your best try!  You have to have the right help.  I know this from experience.  At age 67, I picked up my first crack rock, but I found a way out.  My religion helped me keep faith in myself.  I told myself yes.  I can do it.”