Hi, my name is Wiktoria, I am 24 years old and I have been struggling with depression for years. Until now, my biggest support has been my boyfriend, whom I have been with for over 6 years, but it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to cope – both mentally and financially. One salary is not enough to support both of us and cover my treatment – therapy, medications, and psychiatrist visits.

My mood problems started a long time ago, and I have been receiving psychiatric treatment since 2016. I have attempted therapy multiple times, but lack of funds forced me to stop. I also have a big problem trusting doctors – I have come across people who were either incompetent or simply unable to help me, both among therapists and psychiatrists.

My problems make it so that I am unable to work. Every day is a struggle – just to get out of bed, to feel something other than fatigue, overwhelming sadness, and emptiness, even for a moment. Severe mental symptoms also affect my physical health, causing pain and psychosomatic disorders, which make daily functioning even more difficult.

I have many passions – I love restoring old toys, drawing, and I adore animals, as you can see in the attached photos :) I keep searching for new forms of creative expression and ways to grow – but depression has taken almost all joy away from me. Even worse, I feel guilty when I spend time on anything other than earning money, even though I know that I am unable to work.

I found a therapist with whom I had a few sessions using my savings, and I can see that this therapy could help me. Unfortunately, the costs are too high for me.

The amount I want to raise will allow me to attend therapy every week for half a year – one session costs 200 PLN (roughly 48 EUR) - this is my chance to get out of the worst state so that I can return to work and pay for further treatment on my own.

Without therapy, I see no future for myself. The only thing that still keeps me going is my boyfriend and the hope that one day it will get better. That I will be able to go on our first vacation together, start developing my career, regain the joy of life and rebuild relationships with people.