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Extraordinary Times
Much of what we are facing in this season of isolation, fear of scarcity and compromised health are daily struggles for members of The Well Community. As those whose lives are marked by severe and chronic mental illnesses, they have even greater challenges in avoiding and combating COVID-19.
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When Mental Illness and Poverty Intertwine
As if navigating life with a severe mental illness doesn’t create enough challenges, mental health difficulties often result in an array of additional debilitating hurdles. Because many living with mental illnesses do not have the ability to hold a job, poverty is often a constant companion. With poverty comes homelessness, poor health and insufficient nutrition, not to mention the less visible struggles with stigma and […]
Read MoreAnd You Can Help!
We are all scrambling to serve each other during the COVID-19 health crisis. At The Well Community we have had to suspend our Community Life Center group gatherings and our Thursday Night Life worship service. But we have not stopped serving our members who already have insurmountable challenges as they manage daily life through the lens of mental illness. One of the greatest needs they […]
Read MoreMental Illness and Poverty: Magnifying Challenges in Times of Crisis
Health crises like the coronavirus pandemic impact us all. But, those who live with serious mental illnesses face unique challenges in times like this. Not only can uncertainty and fear trigger worsening of symptoms, but lack of access to things like healthy food, shelter and medical care can lead to a higher risk of illness. The poverty faced by many who deal with life-altering mental […]
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A WELL WORLD: Lessons Learned in Uncertain Times
During these uncertain times, when all routines are disrupted and we have more questions than answers, I find it helpful to consider the plight of others to keep from focusing only on my own challenges. In a recent conversation with our Board Chairman, Jeff Lane, we talked about social distancing and social isolation. He had some great insights on how these relate to members of […]
Read MoreThe End of Over a Decade of Homelessness
After suddenly losing his job over a decade ago, Anthony felt something inside him break. He soon found himself homeless, sleeping in a park or abandoned building. He recalls the street as a place where everyone wants to be somewhere else, but no one knows how to move away from their present situation.
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Housing in the Pursuit of Stability
So often, the challenges of housing insecurity and the struggles of living with mental illness compound one another. The daily issues faced by those without stable housing situations make it difficult for them to pursue mental health stability; likewise, dealing with a mental health condition can impede their ability to take steps toward more stable living conditions. Housing is truly a foundational issue in addressing […]
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A Well World: Continuing the Conversation
Just a few short years ago, it would have been hard to imagine that famous figures ranging from musicians to athletes would be openly sharing how they’ve wrestled with mental illness. We’ve made great progress as a society in increasing awareness of mental health conditions and tearing down the stigma that often surrounds them. Yet, this stigma still overshadows the suffering of the one in […]
Read MoreTalking About Stigma With Michelle Staubach Grimes
On World Mental Health Day in 2019, when Michelle Staubach Grimes, daughter of Dallas Cowboys legend Roger Staubach and author of two popular children’s books, saw several people speaking out online about the difficulty of dealing with mental illness, she decided to do the same. It was an easy decision, she says, because she had little to lose, and she wanted to help normalize mental […]
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Speaking Differently and Speaking Up: Progress in the Fight Against Stigma
Our society has come a long way in the fight against stigma in recent years! An American Psychological Association poll revealed that 87% of American adults agreed that having a mental health disorder is nothing to be ashamed of. This is something to celebrate as acceptance of mental illness plays a big role in helping those who live with these conditions obtain the support they […]
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