I am a dedicated mother currently navigating a series of significant challenges. I work in Behavioral Healthcare, mainly on Psychiatric inpatient and Crisis/Trauma units, serving as both an Admissions Coordinator and Patient Care Technician. While I truly enjoy my work in behavioral health, it can be demanding, yet it offers invaluable experiences. I am a strong advocate for Mental Health Awareness, particularly because both of my siblings are affected by debilitating co-occurring illnesses, with my younger brother designated as SMI. Due to my circumstances and financial hardships, I recently lost my vehicle and now rely on public transportation, which has limited my availability for work. Over the past two years, my family has faced several setbacks, including medical emergencies and a complete loss of income. The turning point came in the summer of 2023 when my partner of ten years lost his job due to his company filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, resulting in an immediate reduction of our income by 50%, followed by a complete loss of income three months later. I was subsequently let go from my position due to a mandatory relocation assignment, which I had not fully understood when I accepted my job offer. This experience has taught me the importance of thoroughly understanding contractual obligations, and I am now much more vigilant about what I’m signing. After losing my job, I faced my own health challenges, developing a severe upper respiratory infection that required hospitalization. As someone with a lifelong history of asthma, I had never needed emergency care until now, but I have been to the emergency room multiple times and have had several urgent health issues related to my condition. Stress seems to exacerbate these respiratory problems. In the same month that my partner and I lost our jobs, my father visited us and also fell ill, resulting in hospitalization for severe pneumonia and COVID-19. His condition worsened rapidly, and he spent several weeks on a ventilator, followed by further rehabilitation. During this time, I took on the role of caregiver until he was stable enough to return home. Since then, my father has experienced two major heart attacks and faces ongoing health challenges. A recent diagnosis indicated that he is permanently disabled due to complications that arose during his recovery. My partner and I do our best to support my mother, who is also trying to help us, but the weight of these responsibilities is heavy on all of us. We are in a crucial situation where we find it difficult to provide for our basic needs, including food, shelter, and school supplies for my two children, as well as necessary support for my father and siblings. I understand that many people are facing their own challenges, but if you are in a position to help, any contribution would make a meaningful difference for my family. We would be incredibly grateful for your support and appreciate you from the depths of our hearts. Thank you for considering our situation; your kindness is truly invaluable. 🩷