Hats off for Mental Health
Donation protected
Hello Friends, Family, Fellow Survivors, & Concerned parties
As you may know or are now learning I am diagnosed with the mental health conditions Major Depressive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder & Dissociative Identity Disorder. All are serious, life threatening, mental illnesses that have significant impact on my quality of life. In addition, I'm a recovering Alcoholic Addict with 2 years and 10 months clean & sober.
2015 has been a particularly challenging year thus far full of many stressors and challenges which have combined to have a serious and devastating impact on my mental health. I am currently suffering from a significant relapse of major depression and dissociation. These symptoms have reached a crisis point which required psychiatric inpatient hospitalization due to concerns for my safety. After two weeks of inpatient treatment followed by a week of frequent outpatient treatment I was compelled by financial pressure to return to work.
I have to this point taken 33 hrs of unpaid leave from work. Thankfully my job is protected by the Family Medical Leave Act so my employer is holding my position and allowing me to take the unpaid leave since all of my paid leave reserves have been exhausted. This is a huge financial burden.
Unfortunately, the inpatient psychiatric hospital was not able to properly treat or address my conditions and the underlying causes of the crisis level symptoms. Despite appearances, I am not "alright" and find daily life and work especially a constant struggle. Due to the tireless efforts of my outpatient therapist and my own dogged determination I am currently surviving and trying to work while I await placement at the Sheppard Pratt Trauma Disorders Unit which is an inpatient psychiatric hospital specializing in the treatment of my condition. I have been accepted for admission tentatively to begin on December 1, 2015. The average stag is 21 days but varies by individual case and could be as long as a month inpatient with outpatient follow-up and recovery after that. I will not be able to work obviously and due to the catastrophic illness leave donation policy of my employer I have been told I will not likely be eligible for any leave donations, even if I am somehow eligible the first 20 days will still go unpaid.
Currently, between the the loss of income, increase in co-pays for more frequent outpatient therapy, psychiatry, and medication, it is estimated that a 20-30 day admission/recovery period will cause an estimated $3,000 or greater financial burden on my family that we are not able to remedy of our own resources. Many people have offered or asked how they can help. I know the holidays are upon us so in lieu of Christmas or birthday gifts this year and instead of thoughtful flowers or care packages I humbly request you consider contributing to this fundraiser to help offset the financial burden so it does not pose an obstacle to my treatment causing me to have to leave treatment too early due to mounting financial pressures.
If the funds raised should exceed the immediate family expenses, the remaining funds will be placed in longer term savings to be used towards future outpatient copays for treatment and medication as those are an increasing strain on our family budget.
Thank you for taking the time to hear my story, to share your support, prayers, and positive healing energy. Together we trust that the needs will be met and I will be able to have successfull treatment and return to a recovering state and a healthy future. If you have any questions or concerns please contact myself prior or after my admission and my husband will be available to handle questions and provide condition updates while I undergo treatment.
Sheppard Pratt Trauma Disorders Unit
As you may know or are now learning I am diagnosed with the mental health conditions Major Depressive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder & Dissociative Identity Disorder. All are serious, life threatening, mental illnesses that have significant impact on my quality of life. In addition, I'm a recovering Alcoholic Addict with 2 years and 10 months clean & sober.
2015 has been a particularly challenging year thus far full of many stressors and challenges which have combined to have a serious and devastating impact on my mental health. I am currently suffering from a significant relapse of major depression and dissociation. These symptoms have reached a crisis point which required psychiatric inpatient hospitalization due to concerns for my safety. After two weeks of inpatient treatment followed by a week of frequent outpatient treatment I was compelled by financial pressure to return to work.
I have to this point taken 33 hrs of unpaid leave from work. Thankfully my job is protected by the Family Medical Leave Act so my employer is holding my position and allowing me to take the unpaid leave since all of my paid leave reserves have been exhausted. This is a huge financial burden.
Unfortunately, the inpatient psychiatric hospital was not able to properly treat or address my conditions and the underlying causes of the crisis level symptoms. Despite appearances, I am not "alright" and find daily life and work especially a constant struggle. Due to the tireless efforts of my outpatient therapist and my own dogged determination I am currently surviving and trying to work while I await placement at the Sheppard Pratt Trauma Disorders Unit which is an inpatient psychiatric hospital specializing in the treatment of my condition. I have been accepted for admission tentatively to begin on December 1, 2015. The average stag is 21 days but varies by individual case and could be as long as a month inpatient with outpatient follow-up and recovery after that. I will not be able to work obviously and due to the catastrophic illness leave donation policy of my employer I have been told I will not likely be eligible for any leave donations, even if I am somehow eligible the first 20 days will still go unpaid.
Currently, between the the loss of income, increase in co-pays for more frequent outpatient therapy, psychiatry, and medication, it is estimated that a 20-30 day admission/recovery period will cause an estimated $3,000 or greater financial burden on my family that we are not able to remedy of our own resources. Many people have offered or asked how they can help. I know the holidays are upon us so in lieu of Christmas or birthday gifts this year and instead of thoughtful flowers or care packages I humbly request you consider contributing to this fundraiser to help offset the financial burden so it does not pose an obstacle to my treatment causing me to have to leave treatment too early due to mounting financial pressures.
If the funds raised should exceed the immediate family expenses, the remaining funds will be placed in longer term savings to be used towards future outpatient copays for treatment and medication as those are an increasing strain on our family budget.
Thank you for taking the time to hear my story, to share your support, prayers, and positive healing energy. Together we trust that the needs will be met and I will be able to have successfull treatment and return to a recovering state and a healthy future. If you have any questions or concerns please contact myself prior or after my admission and my husband will be available to handle questions and provide condition updates while I undergo treatment.
Sheppard Pratt Trauma Disorders Unit
Organizer
Amber Worthington
Organizer
Duncannon, PA