I graduated from a prominent Virginia university, in large part because I had access to mental health services. I was a victim of sexual assault, as well as years of abuse when I was a child, and didn't realize the toll these events would take on my studies, my life. I was treated and received counseling for PTSD, and was very well taken care of. I recovered nearly completely (it is a lifelong recovery that only professional help can teach you to do).

It saddens me that I enjoyed such good care because I was a student, and that if I was not a student I would never have been able to afford psychiatric evaluations, therapy, prescriptions when I needed them, and group sessions. Now that I am not a student and not currently insured, I feel firsthand the dangers that come with not having adequate mental health support available to help me continue my recovery. I feel the despair of those who have nothing to build from, and their trepidation at entering a system that can so easily mistreat and take advantage.

We must not let the poor state of what mental health support there is now deteriorate more.