Hello. I don’t really know how to start, but here I go. In the summer of 2024, my teen daughter attempted to take her own life by overdose. She just kept telling me how tired she was of living. Of course, this broke my heart into a million pieces and I sought the help she undeniably needed. She started treatment and had multiple appointments a week. This required me to take tons of time off work, not just for appointments, but to care for/watch her when her depressive episodes became too hard for her to manage. All of this led to falling behind on bills and constantly having to play catch up, but never catching up.

Fast forward to the week before Thanksgiving, she attempted for the second time. This time resulting in a mandatory 5150 hold. They kept her for 8 days. I took that time off work so I could be available anytime she called or the facility called and needed me for meetings/sessions. All of this while trying to keep the house afloat and care for my 2-year-old. After her hold was lifted, she started attending mandatory outpatient treatment, which involved 4 appointments a week, some 2-hour sessions. She has continued with these appointments until this present day.

I was able to get paid family leave time last summer, but that was 8 weeks and this is a continued treatment she is having to do. I’m embarrassed to say that I am struggling. I can’t seem to catch a financial break! My daughter doesn’t know details about our finances, but she’s started to apologize for asking me for things and I don’t have the money to give her. I don’t want her stressing over something she has no control over. I know I’m doing the best I can, but I also feel like I’m failing. I try to tell myself I can’t control everything, but security is a very big thing for me. This has not only been a mental health struggle for my daughter, but also for me.

As a last resort, I’m coming here for help. I just need a break, I need to be able to feel like our world isn’t gonna collapse under us at any moment. These funds will help me cover when I can’t work due to doctors' appointments and therapy sessions. Anything anyone is willing to do will be a true blessing!! Mental health is a very REAL thing!! Thank you for taking the time to read my story. God bless.