Together, we can
Improve the lives of people dealing with mental illness & maladaptive behaviors
Our Vision
Wellspring Institute for Research and Education (WIRE) envisions a future in which the people of Houston, Texas thrive in communities that support mental health and well-being. We believe it’s possible to transform how communities promote mental health in everyday life. We support research and education, practice and implementation, and policy initiatives to support these needs.
The mental health and emotional impact of COVID-19 on individuals and families in the Greater Houston communities is evident: trauma, depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicidal thoughts have all risen the last two years. To help, WIRE is focused on developing strategies and best therapeutic practices through research, education and interventions that can help create safe and supportive learning communities throughout Houston, Texas.
Our Mission
The mission of the Wellspring Institute for Research and Education (WIRE) is to foster groundbreaking mental healthcare, behavioral healthcare and educational research that improves the lives of people dealing with mental illness and maladaptive behaviors.
WIRE provides educational research and support for planning, implementing, and disseminating best practices to enhance mental and behavioral health care. WIRE works to advance rigorous and reproducible research across the data, social and health sciences, while building collaborative, trans-disciplinary research networks.
We
Collaborate
We provide school-based mental health services to augment the existing array of student support services.
We Provide Care
Today’s children’s & youth need a helpful hand and right guidance at every stage. Here’s where we take care of them like our own.
We Provide Support
We Provide Counselling
Our numbers that speak
Board of Directors
WIRE works to advance rigorous and reproducible research across the data, social and health sciences, while building collaborative, trans-disciplinary research networks.
Dr. Surendra Surujdeo-Maharaj
CHAIRMAN
Surendra holds a Doctorate degree in the area of Plant Pathology and Genetics from the University of the West Indies. He has completed post-doctoral work at University of Manitoba and Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Dévelopment (CIRAD), Montpellier, France.
Ms. Marla Surujdeo-Maharaj
MEMBER ELECT
Marla received a double Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Psychology from Houston Baptist University and is currently a Biology teacher at the very prestigious college preparatory school; DeBakey High School for Health Professionals.
Taylor Wohrley
INTERN: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
Taylor Wohrley is a graduate student in the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work. Taylor graduated from Arizona State University in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Takara Veazie
INTERN: PRAIRIE VIEW UNIVERSITY
Takara Veazie is a graduate student at Prairie View A&M University. She began her counseling internship at Wellspring in October 2016. She obtained her Bachelors of Science in Psychology degree and Masters of Science in Human Science from Prairie View A&M University.
Tad Bodeman
INTERN: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
Tad Bodeman is a MSW candidate at the University of Houston and current intern at Wellspring Family & Community Institute. His passion is in building strong and vibrant families.
Kicia Branch
INTERN: WALDEN UNIVERSITY
Kicia Branch is completing her internship at Wellspring as a Master’s level candidate in Clinical Mental Health at Walden University. Ms. Branch is the program coordinator within the University of Houston’s’ Program Development Office.
