Stay Updated on Latest News from the Well Community
An Interconnected Challenge: Physical Health in the Shadow of Mental Illness
Mental health challenges impact far more than the brain. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), individuals living with a serious mental illness have an increased risk for chronic disease—in some cases, a greatly elevated risk. For example, they are nearly twice as likely to develop cardiovascular and metabolic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. And, adding to this struggle are […]
A Well World: Family Needs
I’m guessing at least five times a week I get a call from a parent, sibling, spouse or friend who is looking for help for someone in a mental health crisis. The calls are panicked. The questions are desperate. They are looking for housing, for medical intervention, for compassion and understanding. Some of the time I have answers handy. Most of the time I can […]
Supporting Families
Families with loved ones dealing with mental health issues often find housing to be one of the greatest challenges. Jacob’s House, The Well’s City of Dallas licensed boarding home for men, is one way The Well supports families. By providing affordable, safe housing within an understanding and accepting community, The Well gives families peace of mind knowing their loved one is off the streets and […]
Seven Ways to Support Family Caregivers
When someone has cancer or is experiencing another health issue, friends and extended family members often surround that person and his or her household with support in the form of everything from meal delivery to assistance with rides to cards of encouragement. However, when the challenge at hand is a mental health struggle, the response is often quite the opposite, and many times family caregivers […]
A Well World: Reaching out
It’s a bit shocking when you think about it. In a 2021 research project* about individuals living in homelessness, 33 percent of all respondents self-identified as having mental health issues. That means about one out of three homeless people are living each day not only with the challenges of poverty and insecure housing, but also with mental illnesses. What incredible obstacles they face! It can […]
When Work Doesn’t Work
Well Community member Nathan* used to work. He liked to work. He wants to work again. But the challenges of living with bipolar disorder make steady work impossible. Coping with mental illness often occupies a great deal of his focus and energy and keeps him from being able to concentrate on the job. “My mind won’t stop. Even though I’m treated [with medication], my mind […]
A Well World: Looking Forward
A few weeks ago, right before the to-go lunches were ready to be picked up, one of our staff members heard a great deal of commotion outside the big glass Well doors. She ran to see what kind of help was needed. But, instead of cries for help, she discovered gleeful laughter and hugging and chatting. You see, some of our members had not seen […]
May 19 The Well Community Day
The Well Community was honored on May 19, 2021 by the Office of Dallas Mayor, Eric Johnson, through the efforts of Councilman Chad West, in a proclamation that, as a part of of Mental Health Awareness Month, May 19 was declared The Well Community Day! Join us in celebrating this recognition (see below)!
Always More to Know
Mental illnesses are complex, affecting each person impacted by them in a unique way. Thus, there’s always more to know about what it’s like to live with mental health conditions and how to come alongside those who must navigate the daily challenges of dealing with these illnesses. Since 1949, when Mental Health America established Mental Health Awareness Month, May has been a time of special […]
The Well Community to Honor Diann Warnock and NAMI North Dallas
The past year has demonstrated with striking clarity that The Well isn’t a place: It’s a community. It’s comprised of people who support and care for one another through the countless challenges of life with serious mental illnesses, and of the many who come alongside them through service, generosity and advocacy. As we celebrate the power of community at our virtual WellSpring Celebration on April […]