Stay Updated on Latest News from the Well Community
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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Rebecca Puchkors and Baylor Nursing Students: Experiencing the Power of Connection
“A colleague at Baylor University told me she had been doing some volunteering and bringing students [to the Well Community], and I thought it sounded like such a great place and such a great mission. So, I started volunteering.” From that very first time, Rebecca Puchkors has continued each month to help out at the Thursday Night Life worship service and dinner. Over 50 Well […]
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A Well World: Not Alone
“Friendship arises out of mere companionship when two or more of the companions discover that they have in common some insight or interest or even taste which the others do not share and which, till that moment, each believed to be his own unique treasure (or burden). The typical expression of opening Friendship would be something like, ‘What? You too? I thought I was the […]
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Caring for One Another
Friendship. Relationship. Fellowship. These are basic needs for all humans. Most of us find such connections in our families, our workplaces, our community or our church groups. But for people living with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression or other serious mental health challenges, sustaining healthy interactions can be stressful or nearly impossible. This is why the Well Community emphasizes “community” in all they do. According […]
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More Than Food: The Power of Meals in Community
In the age of dining delivery services and grocery subscriptions, it can be easy to take for granted readily available meals. But for those living with serious mental health conditions, the source of the next breakfast, lunch or dinner is often uncertain, and lack of access to regular, nutritious food can compound the daily struggles of their illnesses. Like poverty and housing insecurity, food insecurity […]
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