I was 12 years old when I first experienced depression, but it was at 31 when I experienced my first hospitalization for voicing out loud the one thought that has plagued my mind for nearly twenty years. Since 2018 I've done everything from therapy to various medications and have received so many different diagnoses, as if they were Pokemon and I was a Pokemon trainer trying to catch them all. So on Thursday, March 12th, when I experienced a severe mental health crisis that led me to my first hospitalization, I came to the realization that what I've been doing to heal hasn't been enough.

Since then, I've been able to secure short-term disability, but the journey to recovery is just beginning. I need funds to start intensive outpatient treatment, pay for my hospital bills, and get a comprehensive psychological evaluation to help me understand and address my needs. My hospital bills alone are significant, and the psychological evaluation is a crucial step toward getting the right diagnosis and treatment. Intensive outpatient care will provide the support I need to truly thrive, and while disability insurance covers part of my wage, there is a gap before payments begin. This means I need help covering rent and basic necessities during this time. For the sake of transparency, here's the rough breakdown:

Hospital Bill: $5,260

Rent + Necessities: $2,400

Intensive Outpatient Program services: ~$2500

Psychological Evaluation: range from $1,000 (Basic) to $8,500 (comprehensive and most ideal)

I've made it my life's mission to help others—working with nonprofits, supporting underserved communities, creating positive experiences in HR and education, and serving in every church I've attended since I was 13. Now, I've realized that I need help myself. I want to live, but I need support to set up the resources that will allow me to do the work of healing and thriving. While I'm already profoundly thankful to my family, friends, and coworkers who have dedicated their time and support, financial support is much harder to come by. So any contribution, no matter the size, will truly help me take the next steps toward recovery. Thank you for considering supporting me.