Wellness Circle

Supporting mental health through connection, education, and community.

Wellness Circle is the mental health and emotional wellness division of Circle Houston. We believe that no one should have to face mental health challenges alone.

Through friendship, Jewish values, education, professional guidance, and community support, Wellness Circle works to create a community where individuals and families feel supported, understood, and connected.

Wellness Circle is comprised of two complementary programs: The Nefesh Network and The Wellness Institute of Houston.

The Nefesh Network

The Nefesh Network provides support and connection for individuals struggling with their mental and emotional well-being through religious counseling, peer mentoring, friendship, and encouragement.

Working in consultation with mental health professionals, including Dr. Bella Shanzer and Dr. Matt Stanford, and in cooperation with Jewish Family Service and Mrs. Linda Burger, the Nefesh Network seeks to build a network of caring and trained volunteers who can serve as supportive peers to individuals facing mental health challenges.

Peer mentors do not replace therapists or other mental health professionals. Instead, they provide something very important: a caring person who will listen, stay connected, offer friendship and encouragement, and help ensure that no one feels they are facing their struggles alone.

The Nefesh Network has also developed peer-mentoring educational materials to help volunteers provide meaningful, appropriate, and compassionate support.

For more information about the Nefesh Network, please contact [email protected].

The Wellness Institute of Houston

The Wellness Institute of Houston (TWI) is committed to strengthening youth resilience and promoting mental health and suicide-prevention awareness through education, training, resources, and community partnerships.

TWI works to equip young people, parents, educators, youth leaders, professionals, and the broader community with the knowledge and tools needed to recognize challenges, respond effectively, and help young people successfully navigate adolescence and young adulthood.

Teen Discussion Groups

We develop resilience-building curricula incorporating Jewish wisdom to facilitate meaningful conversations with teens about emotional well-being, challenges, relationships, and resilience.

Parents, Educators & Youth Leaders

We provide evidence-based education and training focused on recognizing warning signs, understanding risk, responding appropriately, and connecting young people with professional help when needed.

Community Education & Awareness

We develop partnerships and host educational and awareness programs that unite organizations and community leaders around the shared responsibility of supporting mental health and preventing suicide.

Educational Resources

We provide educational materials and resources for parents, educators, youth leaders, and others who play an important role in the lives of young people.

Continuing Education for Practitioners

We support professional training designed to strengthen clinicians' knowledge, competence, and confidence in effectively working with individuals at risk for suicide.

The Wellness Institute of Houston is a joint initiative of Chabad of West Houston and Circle Houston.

Connection. Education. Support. Hope.

Wellness Circle seeks to build a community in which mental health can be discussed openly and compassionately, people know where to turn when they need support, and no one feels that they have to struggle alone.

The Wellness Institute of Houston is a joint initiative formed through the collaboration of Chabad of West Houston and Circle Houston.