Help Ingrid heal from trauma

On 19 October 2016, my sister Ingrid's life took the worst turn when she found her ex-husband in his bedroom where he hanged himself, a day after her 54th birthday. He was an acclaimed writer who suffered of depression. My sister, a successful drama teacher and journalist, suffered such psychological trauma that she went from weighing a healthy 60 kg to becoming near-anorexic within three weeks, having lost 16 kilos. Two more blows followed: a month later she was made redundant at the school where she worked, and with no income to keep a roof over her head, had to put three of her five rescue dogs and cats up for adoption. In January Ingrid moved in with my retired mother, who offered to mentor Ingrid as a real estate agent.

A week ago, after two months of no income, suffering of debilitating anxiety and suicidal thoughts, Ingrid admitted herself to a government hospital. She has now been diagnosed with PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) and major depression, and being without medical insurance, is awaiting treatment at a state psychiatric institution.

Everyone who has ever dealt with my sister, knows what a radiant, compassionate, intelligent and incredibly talented person she is! My wish for Ingrid is to get the best medical treatment so she can effectively heal from this traumatic event. State-hospitals in South Africa are over-full, understaffed and their safety questionable.

THE SOLUTION

We have found a private facility in Cape Town where Ingrid can go through a comprehensive three-week program which includes daily sessions with psychologists, psychiatrists and occupational therapists. She will get physically back on track with daily exercise, be able to address her weight-issue and attend sessions with topics like Understanding Trauma, Processing Grief and Loss, Healing The Inner-Child and Understanding Anxiety and Panic-attacks.

Getting this level of care for Ingrid will amount to $5715 US Dollars (R74 600 Rand/$7460 AUD), which includes the following:

Basic hospitalisation: $3494 USD (R45 600/$4560 AUD)

Occupational therapy: $690 USD (R9000/$900 AUD)

Psychology: $690 USD (R9000/$900 AUD)

Psychiatry: $690 USD (R9000/$900 AUD)

Medication: $153 USD (R2000/$200 AUD)

This program could save Ingrid's life. I went to Crescent Clinic myself four years
ago when I suffered of burn-out/panic attacks and it helped me face the underlying issues which caused my anxiety. I met some great people while I was admitted there who have all recovered remarkably well.