Dear Friends and Family,

 

It is 3:00 a.m. as I sit here and once again wipe tears from my eyes. In some ways, this feels like a last resort; a final plea of desperation for my daughter. Hanna is crippled with major depression, anxiety, engaging in self-harm, and suicidal ideation. She is 18 years old and has a passion for art. Her dream is to pursue a degree in graphic design at a college that connects her with nature and the mountains, and yet for some time now she struggles simply to live through each day.

 

 

 

 

I am now racing the clock to avoid Hanna falling victim to severe mental illness. Doctors say intervention NOW is critical as her 18-year-old brain is still developing. I have been fortunate to be able to take time off work to conduct a national search for a good treatment program. It is heartbreaking that I have dedicated my career to improving the quality of care and education for our country’s youngest children and yet I struggle to provide for my own child.

 

As a mother, it is very difficult to share this information. There is so much judgment and shame around mental health issues. Here is my truth: I sit at my home waiting for the next time I call 911 because I can’t keep my child safe. I am on constant high alert waiting for the next crisis. Each morning I open my child’s bedroom door to make sure she is still breathing. This is not sustainable or healthy for either of us.

 

The good news is with recommendations from a team of doctors we located an accredited residential psychiatric treatment center for young adults in Southern California. We completed their rigorous admissions process and Hanna has been clinically approved.

 

Here is where we need your help. The admissions team has secured 10 days of treatment with my insurance company. It is their experience that after that the insurance will deem treatment no longer medically necessary. The recommended treatment is 35 to 90 days. The cost for care without insurance is $1700 per day. Our goal is to secure enough funds for Hanna to participate in this high-quality program for at least 35 days. The minimum financial gap is an additional 25 days at a cost of $42,500.

 

I am humbly penning this message, asking friends and family that I know have their own personal struggles and hardships to consider making a small donation to assist in getting my daughter this lifesaving mental health treatment. All funds raised will go directly to Hanna’s care. Thank you for whatever you can do. It is truly appreciated.

 

My love for each of you does not rest on donations. Prayers are equally appreciated!

 

With hope and gratitude,

Ann

 

PS: I just found out the clinical team would like her to start in the next week or two so there is a sense of urgency.