Pink Billmeyer has never been to Paris. But that didn’t stop her from taking palette knife in hand to put a City of Light street scene on canvas.
Billmeyer is an artist, a mother of three and a grandmother to 10. She also suffers from anxiety and depression.
That hasn’t stopped her, either. If it weren’t for her struggle with depression, Billmeyer’s art probably wouldn’t be showing in downtown Everett this month.
“Spring in Paris” and two other Billmeyer oils are among the pieces in “A Diversity of Talents,” featuring art by clients and staff of Compass Health. The nonprofit group serves residents of Snohomish, Island, Skagit and San Juan counties.
Billmeyer, 60, found herself feeling hopeless and helpless after losing her job, developing back pain and discovering she has osteoarthritis.
The dark cloud is starting to lift, thanks to free counseling from Senior to Senior Peer Support, a Compass Health program.
The program pairs people with mental health needs and trained volunteers close to their own age, either in groups or during weekly home visits. It helps about 150 seniors, with more on a waiting list.
“Pink goes to weekly group counseling in Lynnwood,” said Mary Ann Gillis of Compass Health. The volunteers who counsel her have faced similar issues – grief, isolation and physical problems, she said.
For Billmeyer, Senior to Senior has rekindled her joy in life.
“I started very reluctantly. In meetings, I used to clam up,” she said. “But I found myself talking as well as listening. Whatever we say in that room stays in that room. I’m learning more about listening, empathy and compassion. I’m seeing smiles on faces.”
The program has about 35 Senior to Senior volunteers in Snohomish County. More volunteers are needed. Compass would like to have another dozen or so, particularly in the northern and eastern parts of the county. They also need people who speak foreign languages. Volunteers get 40 hours of training with a geriatric mental health specialist.
The program was started by counselor Joanne Halverson and is paid for by tax-funded grants from Snohomish County Human Services and the city of Everett.
The art show highlights the talents of people helped by the agency.
Photographers, poets, watercolor and sketch artists are represented. Works range from a stark photo of the World Trade Center to the color-splashed abstract “Out of Control.”
Yu-Ming Zhu, a Compass counselor and art instructor who teaches the art class, is exhibiting a lush pastel called “Cello as a Dreamer.”
The soft hues of Billmeyer’s Paris scene and her floral “Crazy Daisies” belie any despair.
Depression is the most common mental health problem for people of all ages, said Terry Clark, Compass’ development services director. “Most people have trouble asking for help,” she said. “But our elders hold themselves to a standard that they should be self-reliant.”
After eight months with the group, Billmeyer still gets depressed. But she has no intention of shouldering her depression all alone.
“I find so much joy being with these people. I have a little more hope,” Billmeyer said.
Hope can take people anywhere – even Paris.
Columnist Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460 or muhlsteinjulie@heraldnet.com.
Art show
What: “A Diversity of Talents,” featuring art by Compass Health clients and staff.
Where: Bank of America, 1602 Hewitt Ave.; Cascade Bank, 2828 Colby Ave.; Frontier Bank, 2831 Colby Ave., all in Everett.
When: Through May 28
On the Web: www.compasshealth.org.
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