Maria has found community, connection, safety and comfort spending time at WellPower’s Resource Center.
Note: The following post discusses suicide. If you or someone you know needs 24/7 immediate support, call or text 988 to connect to the National Mental Health Line or visit the Walk-In Center at 4353 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver.
Before formal mental health diagnoses, Maria’s family thought of their history of bipolar disorder as the “family curse.” Her grandmother and mother both eventually received diagnoses, as did Maria. However, long before her own psychiatric intervention, Maria struggled with symptoms of bipolar disorder and suicidal ideation.
A Lifetime of Struggle
“I’ve had constant thoughts of suicide since I was 12,” she said. “I didn’t get diagnosed or get help until I was 28, though. I’ve lost count of how many times I attempted suicide. Sometimes it would go through my mind for months before I tried, and other times it was quick, but it’s always been there.”
In 1991, following a suicide attempt, Maria was referred to WellPower and began receiving mental health services. From that point on, WellPower became a crucial part of Maria’s recovery journey, supporting her through services like psychiatry with Dr. Carl Clark (WellPower’s former president & CEO), case management, therapy, housing and consistent access to WellPower’s Resource Center, a place where people served can eat a hot meal, visit the Daily Market for food, find clothing and household goods at no cost to them and engage in community activities.
Over 30 Years of Support
Now in her 60s, Maria shares how much WellPower has supported her through her mental health challenges, as well as through the practical challenges of her physical disability.
WellPower’s Resource Center, in particular, has been a touchstone in her life. Living close by, Maria finds the Resource Center very accessible and considers it her “home outside of home.” It’s a place where she feels welcomed and understood, a stark contrast to the isolation she felt after her mental health diagnosis.
“Being diagnosed with a mental illness, like bipolar disorder, can be very isolating,” Maria said. “Add on the suicidal ideation I’ve experienced for most of my life, and finding a community of people who can empathize with me felt almost impossible. But coming to the Resource Center is like being welcomed into a family who understands what you’re experiencing. It’s like being welcomed home.”
WellPower’s Resource Center is more than just a place for therapy; it’s a community. Maria has cherished seeing familiar faces every day – both staff and fellow people served by WellPower – and the support that comes from this continuity.
Maria has participated in various programs at the Resource Center, including the vocational trainee program, classes, community events and more. The availability of food and resources, including fresh produce, has also been a significant support for her, especially during times when she experienced homelessness.
“WellPower helps people see that their lives can be so much better than what they thought it might be,” she said. “The staff here work with your ideas and foster your goals and dreams.”
Determination to Live through Suicidality
Maria’s experience with the Zero Suicide team at WellPower has been another critical aspect of her journey.
Marchell, a peer support specialist on the Zero Suicide team, has become a major part of Maria’s support network. Despite still occasionally having thoughts of suicide, Maria finds comfort and support in the services provided by the Zero Suicide team.
Marchell, especially, has been instrumental in helping Maria during some of her most challenging times, including when she was homeless and needed immediate support with finding a place to live. With his help, Maria was able to get a hotel and then secure housing after a recent hospitalization.
“Marchell has really helped me to both accept myself as I am and to accept that suicidal ideation happens,” she said. “You’re not going to see your therapist or your psychiatrist every day, but having people like Marchell and the Resource Center staff around consistently has been such a game-changer for me.”
Maria’s story is not just about her struggles, but also about what she wishes people understood about suicidal feelings. She wants people to understand that suicidal ideation and feelings of hopelessness are frequently responses to trauma, and that having those feelings doesn’t make someone abnormal. She is also deeply grateful to have access to community mental health centers, like WellPower, and for all that behavioral health care services provide for people living with a mental health diagnosis.
“I really want people to know that it’s okay to ask for help, and that the staff and community of WellPower will do whatever they can to support you,” said Maria. “They’re here to help you understand what’s going on in your brain, what might be causing those feelings of suicidality and then help you get through it. They’ll also find ways to accommodate you through disabilities, language barriers and so much more.”
Despite experiencing feelings of suicidal ideation for over 50 years, Maria has continued to push forward, finding joy in connection and the community she’s built with WellPower.
WellPower is Here for You
For 24/7 immediate support, call or text 988 to reach the Mental Health Line or visit the Walk-In Center at 4353 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver. For more information and additional locations: 988colorado.com.
If you or your child need support in navigating thoughts of suicide or simply want someone to talk to, WellPower offers a wide range of programs and services that can help. Visit us online at wellpower.org/access or call (303) 504-7900 to learn more.
WellPower gladly welcomes people with Medicaid coverage. Please contact us if you have any questions about accessing services for yourself, your minor child (ages 0-17) or other family members for whom you have guardianship. Wondering about accessing our services with Medicaid insurance? Find out more about Medicaid here.