For anyone reading this who does not know me, my name is Sara Beth and I am once again locked in a battle for my life against my eating disorder, as well as my anxiety, depression, PTSD and panic attacks. My mental health conditions have left me incapable of work and in need of treatment. And the terrifying irony of it is that even as I write this and even as I fight to save my life, I have all these inner demons screaming at me that it’s not worth saving, and I should not be asking for the help I need to do it. Since the suicide attempt that nearly claimed my life last fall I fought for months to get insurance that would pay for the treatment I needed. I was finally able to enter Reasons Eating Disorder Center in April, and since then my insurance company has continuously ignored the recommendations of my treatment team and forced me to step down in levels of care before I was healthy enough to do so. The first time this happened my health declined so rapidly that within two weeks I had to be transferred to the highest level of care offered by the center. Now my insurance is again acting against the wishes of my team and insisting that I be stepped down to a level of care that is not sufficient to meet my needs at this time, and I have to admit I’m absolutely terrified of facing another life-threatening relapse. My team was hoping for at least another two weeks at this level before I would have to step down. I’m currently in treatment for 8 hours a day 6 days a week and living at a transitional house owned by the center. According to my dietician I’m still malnourished and in the process of weight restoration, which ideally should have happened before coming down to my current level of care in the first place. Each day here costs $800, and my loved ones are already doing the best they can by paying for my insurance and living expenses, so my goal is $5,000-$10,000 to get an additional week or two here to prepare for my step down. If you suffer from a mental illness or know of anyone that does, I hope that you can understand the seriousness of the situation and how difficult it is to ask for help, and that insurance companies unfortunately do not like to cover the cost of mental health programs. To everyone reading this right now I appreciate your consideration, and if you are unable to help financially please keep me in your thoughts, prayers, meditations, etc. Thank you.