We asked why you support TR. Your answers mean the world to us.

We love to see people sharing their own stories of living with mental illness. Cecilia McGough shares her story of living with schizophrenia in a TEDx Talk, as well as an interview that we find really illuminating. We especially love this follow-up interview that touches on why her demeanor in those two previous videos shouldn’t be compared and how she’s coping with this chaotic year.

Loving this guide on building empathy. We are all stretched thin right now, but empathy is what binds us to one another – let’s all flex that muscle, together.

Food insecurity is on the rise, and this classic e-cookbook has a wealth of healthy recipes based on the budget of SNAP recipients.

TR Book Club: Check out our recommendations for the last week of our event – and let us know what you think of the reads we’ve shared!

Brene Brown has years of experience researching shame, empathy, and vulnerability, and has a few great books to show for it. Bonus: she also has a new podcast and a Netflix special!

Local author/artist Ellen Forney’s graphic novel Marbles explores her journey of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, worrying about its effect on her life and art, and learning about how mental illness shaped the lives of other great artists.

The Body Keeps the Score reflects on the ways traumatic experiences impact our mental, physical and even population level health.

This week: An interview with Dani Flanagan and what community means to you

We interviewed Dani about her her insights from her years of service to TR. Check out the excerpt below and read the full interview here!

What were your expectations when you first came to TR as a volunteer? What were some challenges?
I only had a textbook definition of schizophrenia and other mental illnesses and was admittedly a bit naïve to the realities of what living with these more serious forms of mental illness looked like. Then I got to TR and began working with the clients and learned so much. It helped me fully understand the truth that mental illness doesn’t discriminate. I saw so many people from different backgrounds and experiences who were all trying to cope, and it really challenged my perceptions and understanding of what mental illness looks like and how it can affect different people.

I remember my biggest challenge at first was knowing how to be helpful. Sometimes it was an activity like helping with meal preparation, or driving someone on a store trip, helping with medications and tasks like that, but other times it was just being someone who was willing to sit and listen, someone to laugh with or help through a difficult problem. I learned that the task or solution doesn’t have to be grand, it can simply be a small act of kindness that really can build a relationship and help with a person’s confidence in their recovery.

What are you most proud to see TR accomplish so far?
All of the new housing, most definitely. When I was first there in 1992, it was just the main TRY house and next to that there was a duplex TR also owned that had a single crisis bed. There were a few homes as well in the surrounding area, but many clients were off-site living in their own homes or apartments and had to commute to the house for their care. Even back then, TR saw the value of having the model of mental health services and supportive housing and how that builds stability and community.

But witnessing how much the housing piece has grown over the years has been incredible–seeing the two buildings that are now on-site so close to the main house and having the new Yancy Street Project in process as well. Obviously, housing has become even more of an important issue in our area since then, which is why I am so proud that TR continues to focus on addressing these issues in tandem.  It’s been great to see it come together with all the people involved and it is so exciting that it is officially underway! It feels so real and tangible now!

• Are you inspired by the idea of Impact West Seattle? If you’re local, learn about joining the group here. And for folks anywhere, you can read about the trend here – you can join or start a giving circle wherever you are!
• Every day, we see the power of connection and support that our clients provide to one another. We love this story of friendship forged in a psychiatric hospital.
• If you’re getting nervous about the winter ahead (who isn’t?), this article has some optimism and advice for making the most of the outdoors, even in the dark and wet season.
• Have you watched this Netflix show about the invisible ways our world is interconnected?
• This is a helpful guide on making big life choices in an uncertain time.
• TR Book club: Books recommendations from our community. This week, we’re thinking about community and connection:
  • Bowling Alone: A modern classic in sociology and psychology, Bowling Alone explores the dissolution of community in America. And it’s timely too: a new edition is being released this month with a new chapter about the influence of social media and connecting online.
  • The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A fascinating look at the development of cross-cultural care  through one family’s story. This touches on immigration, trauma, and medicine, with sensitivity, candor, and humor.
  • Bonus: Book clubs in the time of COVID-19.

This week we answer your questions and share what home means to us.

We invited you to ask questions about TR’s year, and we’ve got answers for you from TR’s CEO, Darcell Slovek-Walker. What else do you want to know? Ask us in this week’s survey!

How are clients coping and complying with distancing guidelines?
Overall, the clients are coping well, although they really miss things like our agency’s summer picnic and are concerned about whether or not we can have our annual Thanksgiving feast.  We are trying to create new traditions keeping social distancing in mind. As for complying with distancing guidelines, mask wearing and such, I’d say our clients are mirroring the rest of our greater community.  Some people are really good at following the guidelines and others need some reminding.

How are the clients getting services?
We have an office that is staffed 24/7 for client needs, for both the residential clients and our outpatient clients that live in the surrounding neighborhood, who are used to visiting us daily for medication management and more. To limit traffic into the facilities, we actually converted an outside facing window into a service window for clients to drop by. We initially had to cancel or postpone many of our clients’ therapeutic and social groups, but now have found ways to adapt them by moving activities outdoors, running smaller sessions, and masking.

How are you ensuring clients are being treated with dignity with all the changes? COVID has made so many day-to-day interactions feel so sterile.
This is such a great question, because face-to-face interaction seems like such an integral part of our work. Fortunately, TR’s long relationships with our clients have helped us to weather the changes we’ve needed to put in place that could make things feel sterile. We let people know that the safeguards we have put in place are to keep everyone safe because we care about our TR community. It also helps that our outside space has allowed for more casual interactions to continue and to keep the atmosphere positive. In fact, after a period of adjustment, elbow bumps have become the new normal at TR!

“Home is not just family, it’s the people you enjoy being around everyday. I consider TR to be a home because I enjoy the people I work with and seeing our clients each day.”
-Josie, Intensive Case Manager

“Home is the place where I can build memories, new dreams and goals for my future, and work on myself in a space and with people who I feel comfortable and safe with.”
– Maddy, TR Supporter

“Home is where I can be and know that I am safe. A place I look forward to being in and getting to wind down after a long, intense day. A place where I can find comfort and hope. A place that my heart yearns for.”
– Kristen, TR staff

“Home means safety to me, safety and comfort. It’s so much more than a roof over your head. Having a loving relationship with the people who you are living with and knowing you can trust them–that to me is home.”
– Ingrid, TR Client

“Somewhere safe, a sanctuary. A no judgment zone. A place where you can be yourself and be surrounded by like-minded individuals.”
– DJ, TR Case Manager

“Stability.”
– Brittany, TR supporter

“Home is where my heart and soul can rest, replenish and be free. Home is where my mind can relax, wander and contemplate the day, the world and life. “
– Colleen, TR supporter and client family member

A favorite from Instagram account @crazyheadcomics, linked below.

• We love this Swedish artist and mental health advocate’s Instagram account. Here are a few of our favorite posts: One Two Three
• Here’s a great list of social justice films and series available to stream from home.
• Facing Homelessness is a project by local advocate Rex Hohlbein, sharing stories of homelessness through photos and stories. For even more perspectives on homelessness, here are a few standout Ted Talks from people across the board, from a city mayor looking for policy response to a story from one a woman living and working unhoused.
• If you’re stuck in West Seattle with us, we can’t agree with this roundup of the best local restaurants more. TR staff are especially partial to Buddha Ruksa and Bakery Nouveau.
• TR Book club: Books recommendations from our community. This week, we’re thinking about homelessness and social justice:
  • For a closer look at poverty and homelessness: Evicted.
  • For a way into the conversation about race, from a local author: So You Want to Talk About Race.
  • For a riveting memoir with social justice themes and sense of humor: Born a Crime.
  • Bonus! A great book list for finding books about race and anti-racism to share with the kids in your life.

We asked the TR community how they’re staying connected and beating isolation. Here are a few of their best tips.

Don’t wait until you are feeling lonely to reach out to friends, make it a regular part of your day.
– Miriam, TR Board Member

It’s a time when everyone is feeling a little uncertain. If you need support, reach out for it, because it really is needed more than ever. Try to fill your day as much as you can.
– Joey, TR client

Trying to get outside! Even just a 30 minute walk can help anyone’s mental health and get those endorphins going. And it’s nice to call a loved one during that time too.
– Jen, TR’s nurse

Focus on something that isn’t going to change because of the pandemic – like reading, drawing, poetry – things that don’t require being around other people. Add things that make you feel as though you are in the company of others.
– Lacey, TR Case Manager

Find creative ways to express yourself and talk to family. I’ve been doing a lot of video calls right now. Know that you’re not alone – we’re all a little scared, but we’re all going to get through this together.
– Kirby, TR case manager

It’s totally normal to have days where you don’t feel productive. There are a lot of feelings and emotions in a pandemic, so it’s really hard to get up every day and be 100%. One thing that’s helped me is focusing on my hobbies, so I’ve been working on learning a new language, and practicing the piano.
– Charlotte, TR client

Pick up a hobby or two that was on your list. Something that you never got to because of commute, work, and family obligations. Make the most out of this work from home situation.
– Rahul, TR Board Member

We want to hear from you! Take our weekly survey so you can share your own advice, experiences and questions with the rest of our community.

What we’re reading, watching and listening to on these topics. Think of this as a our virtual cocktail hour catchall.

• Grief and sadness are a normal part of life, especially in challenging time. Here’s a reflection on managing sadness from our friends at NAMI.
• If you keep hearing about self-care, but don’t know what that really looks like: Self Care: More than  a Bubble Bath 
• Did you know that September is Suicide Prevention Month? It’s more important than ever to reach out to folks who may be feeling isolated or depressed, so here’s a list of ways to start a conversation for your loved ones who always say “I’m fine.”
• How is the pandemic going to change the landscape of mental health? Here’s one look.
• We may be trapped on West Seattle Island, but it could be worse: The Magic of West Seattle.
• Book club: Recommendations from the TR community. This week’s topic is mental health. Our board member Rachel recommends Postcards from the Edge, Carrie Fisher’s semi-autobiographical novel about addiction and treatment. Bonus: there’s a movie version starring Meryl Streep. TR staff member Emily recommends Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, a touching and funny memoir of a therapist seeking therapy.

What have you been reading on the topics of mental health, homelessness, social justice or other topics? Let us know and your recommendation could be featured next week!