Project Belong

I still remember Jennifer*, her wrists torn and bleeding through her hasty bandages. In the five hours I spent with her as an emergency technician, I saw her pain, desperation, and loneliness, and was able to give her hope, just knowing that someone cared.

Project Belong is the next chapter of my calling begun that day three years ago. PB is a pilot program within Dr. Neil Nedley's internationally acclaimed residential Depression Recovery Program in the Greater Sacramento area, the city with the 4th highest suicide rate in the nation. This program will allow those who have attempted to end their lives to recover in a positive, safe, loving environment, with comfort and care difficult to achieve in a psychiatric hospital. Patients would have 24/7 supervision in a safe and uplifting community setting for ten days, under the care of medical professionals using both current medical methods, and cutting edge natural-lifestyle research. Using the NEWSTART lifestyle principles, patients' mental health will improve through nutrition, exercise, hydration, moderation, fresh air, rest, and an increased awareness of a supporting community, in addition to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques.

This program comes at a cost however. Because of the intense care provided to the patients, the cost to participate is $10,000 per person. Few, if any, could afford this. That is how you can help. Every dollar brings us closer to providing healing to our first patient this fall.

Thank you for playing a part in bringing hope to Sacramento, one changed life at a time.

*not her real name.