the Well Community

Sticking with New Year's resolutions that improve your mental health can be a challenge. But these tips from HeadsUpGuys can help you turn those resolutions into habits. https://headsupguys.org/creating-daily-habits-and-routines-to-manage-your-mental-health/

An excellent opportunity at NAMI North Texas to learn from mental health peer specialists. Register for this free event organized by the DFW Hospital Council at https://dfwhcfoundation.org/in-person-mental-health-recovery-workshop-set-for-jan-28-in-dallas/

Coming alongside those living with serious mental illnesses requires coming alongside them for the long haul: chronic compassion. Compassion has two parts: a caring awareness of another’s suffering and a longing to ease that pain. It’s a term that originates from two words meaning “to suffer” and “with,” and the significance of those words remains today: To truly have compassion is to sit with another in his or her suffering. https://wellcommunity.org/chronic-compassion/

Do you tend to feel down after the holidays? You're not alone, and these tips from PsychCentral.com can help. https://psychcentral.com/lib/how-to-manage-post-holiday-depression

Have you made a mental health resolution for 2024? These tips from NAMI can help you stick with it. https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/January-2023/Mental-Health-Resolutions-for-the-New-Year

The beginning of a new year is a great time to adopt new habits that impact your wellbeing. If you’re still considering a New Year’s resolution, think about one that helps you take charge of your mental health, such as one of these practical, doable commitments. https://wellcommunity.org/six-ways-to-take-charge-of-your-mental-health-this-year/

For those living with serious mental illnesses, isolation and loneliness often add an extra layer of struggle. And, as this piece from Psychology Today explains, lack of connection can impact health and wellbeing in numerous ways. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/darwin-does-dating/202311/not-just-a-feeling-the-physical-consequences-of-loneliness

As we get ready to begin a new year, we encourage you to commit to educating yourself on mental illness and how you can help those who live with mental health challenges. These eight books, including several by Dallas-area authors, are a great place to start.https://wellcommunity.org/eight-must-read-books-about-mental-illness/

As Well Community members demonstrate kindness and generosity toward one another, “spirit of Christmas” is with us always, and we can continue to cultivate generosity and meekness in the year ahead. https://wellcommunity.org/a-well-world-blessed-are-the-meek/

From all us at the Well Community to you and those you love, happy holidays!

Suzan and Phil Sprinkle, Dr. Caitlin Miles and Oscar Brown already deliver a home-cooked dinner every Sunday at Jacob’s House, and on top of that, they don't let a special occasion go by without making it festive for the men who live there! From arranging just the right gifts with Santa to personally wrapping each gift to their special delivery yesterday, they made Christmas especially merry and bright in the house.

Among a bounty of gifts each resident was given was a colorful monogrammed jacket, a store gift card, a family-favorite Mexican Coke and so much more. Thank you to this wonderful team that shows our residents their love every week!

The spirit of Christmas is evident in Well Community members--not only in this season but all year round. Read more from our Executive Director. https://wellcommunity.org/a-well-world-blessed-are-the-meek/

“Just to think that you're doing God's will brings joy to you.” - Kay Frierson, longtime Well Community volunteer

The joy flows both ways as Kay and the rest of the Global Affairs class serves each Christmas. And, for Well Community members, it’s a gift that shows them they’re remembered and loved during the holidays.

https://wellcommunity.org/service-that-brings-joy/

A good reminder from Pastor Brad Hoefs that it's OK if you don't feel full of cheer--plus several tips to help you during the holiday season. https://pastorbrad.blog/2023/12/14/coping-with-the-holidays-when-depressed/

For 10 years, the Global Affairs class at Cliff Temple Baptist Church has provided the festive dinner that’s part of the Well’s holiday party, working with Norma’s Café to create the menu, paying for the food, picking it up on the big day and partnering with the Crossroads class to make sure each plate is served with a smile. While it’s a big undertaking, it’s an act of service that brings joy year after year. https://wellcommunity.org/service-that-brings-joy/

For the majority of those living with mental health conditions, holidays are especially challenging times. How could you come alongside someone who's struggling today?

Santa's arrival is always a highlight of our holiday party!

Our annual holiday party has been a festive and fantastic time for our members! We’ll be posting more photos of our night of fun on our social media and blog, but in the meantime, A HUGE THANK YOU to all who helped to make this celebration such a special evening.

• To Greg Price, thank you for leading us in singing Christmas carols and filling the air with cheer.
• To Rev. Kenny Cheshire of Cliff Temple Baptist Church, thank you for delivering a Christmas message to our members.
• To Kay Frierson and the Global Affairs and Crossroads Sunday school class teams from Cliff Temple, thank you for providing, plating and serving a feast from Norma's Cafe.
• To Kessler Park United Methodist Church, thank you for bringing and plating dessert. A special thanks to Vickie Fisk and Oscar Brown for the festive decorations.
• To volunteers from the YMSL Oak Cliff Chapter, thank you for helping to serve the meal, clean up and hand out gift bags to our members.
• To Cerena Fain and Richard Summerall, thank you for handing out gift bags (and smiles) to our members.
• To Rick Lawson, thank you for being our Santa Claus!
• To Tiesha and Marques White, thank you for helping take photos of our members with Santa.
• To Wanda and Richard Gass, thank you for coming to connect with members, giving the gift of presence.
• To all who donated Walmart gift cards and items to fill tote bags for our members, thank you for your generosity!
• And, to our staff, we appreciate all you’ve done to make this night a success! Thank you to Alondra Renteria for helping to take Santa photos, to Ericka Ruiz and Anthony Green for handing out Walmart gift cards, to Darlene Kindall for coordinating Santa’s arrival and to Colleen Martin for keeping an eye on it all and stepping in where we needed it.

So many people made this night possible, and to anyone we overlooked here, please know we are no less grateful for you!
To all of you, our Executive Director, Alice Zaccarello, says THANK YOU for bringing joy to our members and giving them a truly blessed and happy holiday.

We hope you'll keep this in mind this holiday season!

To learn more about mental health and re:MIND, including our free support groups for those who may be experiencing symptoms of Depression or Bipolar Disorder as well as their family and friends, check out our website www.remindsupport.org

Several myths about mental health are common within Christian circles. But knowing (and spreading) the truth--such as the mental illnesses are real and that God cares about our thoughts and feelings--can help those who are struggling. RELEVANT Magazine https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/4-myths-too-many-christians-believe-about-mental-health/

As the larger community comes around Well Community members during the holidays, they are reminded that others care. And that is worth celebrating. https://wellcommunity.org/generosity-that-makes-the-season-bright/

Because many people give generously, the Christmas season can be merry for Well Community members. What would otherwise be a time that is lonely and hard is transformed through the kind hearts and willing hands of members of our larger community. https://wellcommunity.org/generosity-that-makes-the-season-bright/

Sometimes, we can't be there in person when a loved is struggling with their mental health. But, texting can be a powerful form of support for someone in crisis. The American Foundation for Su***de Prevention - North Texas Chapter offers helpful tips. https://afsp.org/story/helping-a-friend-via-text-tips-from-crisis-text-line

Especially during the holiday season, an open ear can be a great gift to those struggling with their mental health. Through gentle prompting and intentional listening we can empower those who normally feel anxious about being asked about employment, relationships and their conditions to confidently talk about what is important to them. https://wellcommunity.org/the-gift-of-listening/

Just one more day to help us fill backpacks for Well Community members! Shop our Amazon wishlist now and be part of giving our members a happy holiday. bit.ly/WellBackpacks

The Walmart gift cards Well Community members receive at our holiday party give them the dignity of choosing something for themselves or for others. And the generous donations of many people make this possible! Give by this Monday, December 4. bit.ly/WellGiftCard

Free webinar! Join us on Tuesday, December 5th for tips to navigate this season. 💚

Register: https://ibpf.org/practical-strategies-to-help-your-mental-health-this-holiday-season/

Excellent tips from The Grace Alliance! (Be sure to click through to the full article!)

5 simple ways (and tips) to help understand the need and the process.

This week's email explains more: https://mailchi.mp/mhgracealliance/4-21-1222743

Seeking help for a mental health challenge can be scary. But the support of a caring friend can go a long way. From The Jed Foundation - JED, here are some tips to help you come alongside a loved and help them get the care they need. https://jedfoundation.org/resource/how-and-when-to-help-a-friend-reach-out-for-support/

This , you could help make a Well Community member's season brighter! By donating toward Walmart gift cards for members, you provide them the joy of picking something for themselves or others. bit.ly/WellGiftCard

As you do your shopping, would you consider adding a few things for Well Community members to your list? Through December 4, we're collecting personal care items, snacks and cold weather accessories to fill backpacks for our members at our annual holiday party, and shopping our Amazon wishlist makes it easy to to contribute. bit.ly/WellBackpacks