Stay Updated on Latest News from the Well Community
Stealing Options: How Poverty and Mental Illness Erode Opportunity
It was obvious that Toby* wanted to work. When he came to the Well Community, he always stepped in without being asked, offering to take out the trash and do odd jobs. But each time the Well staff offered him a job at the Well, he turned it down, never giving a reason why. Finally, they learned why Toby kept saying no: He didn’t have […]
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At Every Level: How Mental Illness Steals Margin to Meet Needs
No area of life goes untouched by a serious mental illness. It interferes with every need we have as humans, starting with the most essential requirements for survival. And, when these needs aren’t met, those living with these disorders are robbed of the capacity to take steps toward mental health stability. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs provides a framework that categorizes the things all of us […]
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A Well World: A Great Retreat
Our annual spring retreat was a great success as always, and as always it couldn’t have happened without the generous scholarships provided by our kind friends. My grateful thanks to all. Alice
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Becoming Aware
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Here is a firsthand account from a parent of one of our members as she shares how she has grown in understanding about mental illness over her lifetime. She updated this for us from one of her previously published blogs. By Catherine Downing I first became aware of mental illness when I was about 9 years old. I overheard […]
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Mental Illness: Not an Adjective
Mental Health Awareness Month is a great time to learn about how our words can contribute to stigma—especially when we use the names of mental illnesses and symptoms as adjectives. Though our society has become more open about speaking about mental health and more conscious of how our words can perpetuate stigma, a sneaky type of language often still pops up. It’s one that can […]
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Well World: Hope of Heaven
It’s that time of the year when the Christian community focuses on eternal things. We are reminded of Christ’s death on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter, which also has us thinking about the hope of heaven. At the Well Community, our minds have been on that especially this week as we grieve the death of one of our favorite and long-serving volunteers. Ann […]
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Worship at Thursday Night Life
It’s time for Thursday Night Life at the Well Community. The room is readied. On the tables are coloring sheets and crayons. The microphone volume is tested, and the lights are up. First to enter are the Well Community van riders who have come from the Oak Cliff area and beyond. One by one others trickle in, some by foot, others via HandiRides or bus. […]
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Understanding That Undergirds Compassion: Takeaways From “Grace for the Afflicted”
Understanding is foundational to coming alongside those living with mental illness with care and compassion. This idea underlies Grace for the Afflicted: A Clinical and Biblical Perspective on Mental Illness by Matthew S. Stanford, a church leader and a professor of psychology and behavioral sciences. Drawing from both areas of experience and expertise, Sanford provides a helpful guide to understanding mental illness in general as […]
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A Well World: Lean on Me
For some reason, “Lean on Me,” the old song by Bill Withers, has been running through my mind lately. Lean on me, When you’re not strong And I’ll be your friend I’ll help you carry on… We all need someone to lean on. A few phrases in the song strike me as somewhat profound. First, it talks about leaning, not being carried. It reflects the […]
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Fun and Connection With a Furry Friend
Recently members of the Well Community welcomed a unique visitor—one with four legs, a silky coat and an enthusiasm for connecting with people. During the Well’s Community Life Center, Jack, a black and white Havanese, brought boatloads of smiles as he performed tricks and soaked up all the pets he could get.
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