Hi, my name is Leslie , and I’m 29 years old. For most of my life, I believed I was just struggling with depression and anxiety. Since I was 16, I’ve dealt with constant emotional ups and downs, difficulty keeping jobs, falling into debt, and serious health issues due to neglect.

But after surviving a suicide attempt beginning of 2024, I finally received a proper diagnosis: bipolar disorder. This diagnosis has helped me begin to understand myself in a new light—but it also came at a very dark and painful time in my life.

After the attempt, I turned to my family for support. They brought me to the Dominican Republic, where I’ve been living with my parents for the past five months. I’m grateful for their help, but being far from my mental health providers and isolated from the life I was trying to build has only deepened my struggles. I was given medication but truth is you need time to try out different meds to see what works for you but I didn’t have that time.

Now, I know what I need:

• To return to the U.S.

• To get back into treatment with professionals who understand my condition

• To find a safe, affordable place to live

*if anyone knows of rooms for rent or any living situation that is safe please let me know.

• To work again and regain independence

*which is something I’m actively doing and applying, but it’s hard when you’re not in the states and you’re in the Dominican Republic.

I’m raising funds to cover:

• A plane ticket back to the U.S.

• A deposit and two month’s rent for a room

• Basic living expenses while I find a job and restart treatment

This isn’t easy to ask for and can feel embarrassing, but I believe in being honest about what I’ve been through and where I want to go. If you can contribute or even just share this page, it would mean everything to me. i hope this brings awareness to mental health struggles and how detrimental they can be.

Thank you for reading my story. I’m trying to survive, heal, and grow—and your support helps me take that next step.

With love,

Leslie