Help me get back on my feet
Donation protected
On August 14, I was diagnosed with several mental illnesses after a breakdown at work, including severe anxiety, depression, panic disorder, and (in the last week), bipolar II disorder.
I was able to take four months off from work under Short-Term Disability, which gave me 60% of my salary, which was just enough to manage if I put all my therapy appointments and new medications on a credit card. However, the treatment plan was not successful enough to let me return to work at the end of the four months. My therapist said I did everything right, and worked really hard, but when I went back to work, it was worse than it had been, even on a part time basis to ease me back into it.
Then my benefits ended, and I stopped receiving any kind of income. And being unable to work, I have no means of earning money. My family can help some, but with rent and continued care it's becoming difficult to manage.
On December 11, I became suicidal and was recommended for a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). This is a very intensive program, five days a week, that's supposed to be very good. I started a few days ago and it's going well, but the bills for this program are hefty. My insurance covers up to $1,500 of the program, leaving about $2,470 that I have to pay, on top of the debt I'd already accumulated from the previous 4 months of therapy.
As for work, I was able to take unpaid medical leave and apply for Long Term Disability, but that is a process that's lengthy and has no guarantee of paying me the 60% of salary. As it stands now, my HR person has not even yet sent me the documents I need to get that process started, and 60% of my salary is not even close to being able to cover living expenses and this level of care.
I've been so grateful to everyone who has donated so far. Whatever you can do to help is much appreciated, and I hope to pay it forward in the future. Mental health is something that is so important to me, and I hope that my story will have a happy ending and I can share it and help others as well.
I was able to take four months off from work under Short-Term Disability, which gave me 60% of my salary, which was just enough to manage if I put all my therapy appointments and new medications on a credit card. However, the treatment plan was not successful enough to let me return to work at the end of the four months. My therapist said I did everything right, and worked really hard, but when I went back to work, it was worse than it had been, even on a part time basis to ease me back into it.
Then my benefits ended, and I stopped receiving any kind of income. And being unable to work, I have no means of earning money. My family can help some, but with rent and continued care it's becoming difficult to manage.
On December 11, I became suicidal and was recommended for a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). This is a very intensive program, five days a week, that's supposed to be very good. I started a few days ago and it's going well, but the bills for this program are hefty. My insurance covers up to $1,500 of the program, leaving about $2,470 that I have to pay, on top of the debt I'd already accumulated from the previous 4 months of therapy.
As for work, I was able to take unpaid medical leave and apply for Long Term Disability, but that is a process that's lengthy and has no guarantee of paying me the 60% of salary. As it stands now, my HR person has not even yet sent me the documents I need to get that process started, and 60% of my salary is not even close to being able to cover living expenses and this level of care.
I've been so grateful to everyone who has donated so far. Whatever you can do to help is much appreciated, and I hope to pay it forward in the future. Mental health is something that is so important to me, and I hope that my story will have a happy ending and I can share it and help others as well.
Organizer
Audra Edmonson
Organizer
Dallas, TX
