I am 54 years old and have been dealing with agoraphobia, anxiety, severe depression, and PTSD stemming from a traumatic incident many years ago. Despite these challenges, I upheld a strong work ethic for many years and have always held down a job, but a recent layoff has caused my mental health to deteriorate significantly.
I am currently in the process of applying for disability benefits, as the debilitating anxiety I experience while searching for new employment, compounded by my agoraphobia, has made it nearly impossible for me to work. Some days I barely get out of bed when I’m at my lowest lows.
In April, I was hospitalized for a week following a suicide attempt and was subsequently on leave for six weeks to recover. This resulted in further financial strain and intensified my stress and anxiety. I continue to heal myself through the process of counseling, DBT and CBT classes to help with my mental health. I am currently under the care of a Psychiatrist, and mental health therapist. Sadly, I will be losing my healthcare in 3 months and am not sure how I will be able to continue my mental health battle, nor afford my own insurance. I worry about how I will afford my prescriptions that make me feel human most days.
While I await a decision on my disability claim, with the help of an attorney, I am facing serious financial hardship. My husband is also on disability due to injuries from a car accident, which adds to our economic difficulties. We don’t have a lot of bills, just the normal, mortgage and basic bills that come along with a home; electricity, water, sewer, garbage, phone, and internet.
We are humble individuals, doing our best to navigate these challenges. To give back and support ourselves, we have been volunteering with Gleaners, helping provide food assistance to those in need during this difficult time which also helps us to get weekly food boxes. We are also in the process of signing up for SNAP benefits to assist us further.
We are not asking for a specific amount but are deeply appreciative of any assistance. Once we are back on our feet, we are committed to paying it forward.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Any support you can provide would be greatly appreciated during this difficult time and with the way the economy and jobless claims are in our area, it has created further stress. My pay pal account is: