At the core of our work to support those living with serious mental illnesses is the belief that every person has inherent worth. We affirm that each individual, regardless of their struggles and situation, has been made in the image of God and is deserving of respect.
The preamble to the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.” Yet so often, those suffering from mental disorders are robbed of this dignity and of some of the very basic rights of personhood.
For example, Article 25 of this declaration states that “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family.” But for many living with serious mental health challenges, this right isn’t reality. Often their diseases leave them unable to work and thus unable to afford the essentials necessary to care for themselves; and many become homeless.
We recognize with Article 1 of the declaration that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” And so, we seek to affirm our members’ dignity and support them in ways that enable them to experience the basic rights that so many of us take for granted.
Since it opened in 2021, our Resource Center has become a key means of affirming our members’ worth. There, thanks to the generosity of many donors, they have access to clean clothing, food, personal care supplies and more, all with the goal of helping to ease some of the many daily challenges brought about by their illnesses. These basics help to remove some of the barriers of navigating life with serious mental health conditions and support them in their pursuit of stability.
These basics are a fundamental piece of experiencing the rights with which each person is born. And they’re available to our members because many in our wider community affirm their dignity through gifts and service. I’m grateful for each one who helps us recognize the worth inherent in each person who comes to the Well.