Mental Health Care Shouldn't Be So Hard

Content warning: suicidal ideation, self-harm, mental health system

Anyone who's met Breana can't help but be smitten with her wit, charm, empathy, and her smile that can light up any room. What most don't know is that she struggles with chronic suicidal ideation and severe depression. She's had years to develop methods of masking her pain and has pushed herself through the darkest of days. However, over the last several years Breana's pain - which stems from deep childhood traumas - has led to many calls to Community Mental Health and the police, as well as a revolving door of hospital stays. As I type this, Breana is back in the hospital keeping safe from self harming.

As you might know, our mental health system (and health care system in general) is broken. Unfortunately, our experience with our local Community Mental Health agency has been inadequate and frustrating. We have found them to be unwilling to listen to our requests for resources or answer our questions about how to locate and navigate appropriate services. Breana has been hospitalized 30+ times in the last three and a half years, all short stays without in-depth care and often with new medications or diagnoses each time. She has attempted various treatments, called endless hotlines, and has been asked to make significant decisions about her own care while in active crisis. It's clear to us that moving forward, something has to be different.

Breana is in great need of longer term care to assist her in regaining her life. The good news is that there are places Breana can stay for therapeutic mental health care that treat patients with respect and dignity. The bad news is that even though Community Mental Health can assist with helping Breana get the care she deserves, they won't pay for her to stay at one of these facilities. We have specifically been looking at Rose Hill Center: https://www.rosehillcenter.org/about-rose-hill-center/. Her natural supports - Courtney and Allison - have toured this facility. They believe that if Breana had an opportunity for deep, humanizing care where she can process her trauma in a safe environment, she could reclaim the life she’s worked so hard for.

If we can't get the care she needs going through our community services, then we will find the means to get the care by going straight to our friends, family, neighbors and community members. While we do not believe folks should need to crowdfund essential care, we know this community can come together to collectively help Breana access what she needs to heal.

A stay at Rose Hill is not cheap. Six months without financial assistance is roughly $120,000. If she is able to qualify for financial assistance it will be approximately $30,000. She would need another $10,000 to be able to stay there without losing her apartment and car. So we are trying to raise $40,000. We know this is a huge ask, but this beautiful human we call Breana is priceless.

Please know whatever amount you can give is more than appreciated.