Residential treatment fund for Makayla Williams

Since the age of ten, I have tried to imagine a world without me in it. I’ve contemplated taking my own life and all details involved including funeral plans and writing suicide notes. In fact, a suicide note was the catalyst for my first hospital stay in 2017. I was a freshman in college. 18 years old.

Now I am 22 years old, and my battle with suicidal ideation has not yet been won. My thoughts have continued to grow more frequent and complex. I also have had additional symptoms spanning throughout different diagnoses. 

Due to the complex nature of my case, many providers have been hesitant towards working with me. Often times, I have been the case that one wants to pass on to someone else or refer to a higher level of care such as inpatient hospitalization.  Due to my complex and unstable symptoms and changing care plans,  I have yet to receive long-term relief.

Currently, I am still struggling with symptoms from those of depression and anxiety to those of paranoia. Some would say that I need another hospital stay, but I disagree. For I have learned on multiple occasions, that the hospital is not for me. By that I mean that I do not need such an acute level care. And why should I have to go back to the hospital when there are other options, options that are better for me?

The answer is finances.  While some say hospital, others say residential. But the problem is that residential is very expensive. A month of care is 33,000 not including my travel expenses, medications, and any additional tests or treatments. Despite the cost, residential is the treatment that I need. At this program, I will be given intensive therapy and medication management. I will receive DBT (Dialectal Behavioral Therapy) and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) both in group and on an individual basis. I will have access to art, music, and horticulture therapy. I will get a chance to focus fully on my health and recovery. I fully believe that this will be my last stop and first stop. My last stop fighting and my first stop as a winner. 

But, in order to do all of this, I need some help.

I am by no means rich. My family works hard. It is extremely difficult for us to ask for help at all, let alone monetary aid. But we have all come to the decision that we are sick of seeing me suffer. We are tired of not seeing me live my best life. And when you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, you need to take a leap of faith, swallow your pride and do something different.

My admissions date is in early November. The money for my first month of stay is due as soon as possible. I will be taking a leap of faith by traveling 900 miles from home.

I hope you can take a leap of faith too. One in me.  A hope and a prayer that I will be able to utilize all the resources afforded to me at this program. A hope and a prayer that I will be able to achieve my complete healing and go on to fulfill my life’s purpose. 

Thank you for your support.