Some of you know that my niece came to live with us starting the summer of 2019. At the beginning of the pandemic, when schools went virtual, she moved back home to finish the school year there.


My niece has struggled for years with her mental health. We hoped having a fresh start in a new neighborhood and school would help lighten her load a bit as well as her family’s, but she struggled while she lived with us as well.


Things felt like they were getting better  once she got back home, but on Thanksgiving, she attempted suicide.


Not knowing quite what to do, but knowing that she needed more help - more than what she was previously getting from therapists and counselors - my sister and  brother-in-law admitted my niece to a residential treatment center.


This place has been great. They offer therapy several times a day in group and personal sessions. They provide supervision and protection for these teen girls who are at risk (both from outside influences and from self-harm).


Their program is usually 2-3 months long. Because my sister had already met their insurance deductible THIS year, they were able to get my niece in easily so she could start this program.


Unfortunately, at the start of January, when deductibles reset, they will need to pay their deductible again - in full - in order to keep my niece on her program.


They don’t have the resources to save up that amount of money within such a short matter weeks, and it hurts my heart to think about my niece not able to get the full care that she desperately needs.


I’m asking for a little help from friends and family to help meet this deductible so that my niece can stay in this safe, protected environment and finish her program.