For as long as Sara could remember, she had suffered.

Night terrors, flashbacks and emotional numbness were part of her daily existence. It began when she was a child.

For years, she was physically and verbally abused by her father. Sara endured as best she could, and moved out of the house as soon as she was able to live on her own. Tragically, the abuse and betrayal continued into her adult life when her boyfriend, Gary, raped her. She was only 25. She didn't talk about the rape to anyone and never reported it.

At age 30, she realized she needed help.

Sara searched the internet for support groups and learned about The Circle, a Tuesday evening group run by the Crisis Center's Trauma Counseling Center. Sara also started to see a therapist who worked with her to help her heal from the years of physical and emotional trauma.

Around this time, she started taking a new medication. There were immediate negative side effects. In addition to the trauma symptoms she was experiencing, she had thoughts of suicide. She was confused and frightened. Her counselor connected her to a Crisis Center suicide prevention care coordinator who called Sara between therapy appointments to check-in, and who helped her implement a suicide prevention safety plan. Sara changed medications and worked with the care coordinator, while attending the weekly support group and therapy sessions.

Today, Sara no longer has thoughts of suicide and she feels much better. Her experience with Crisis Center staff and her support group helped her realize that it's possible to find healing from her trauma.

Your support of the Crisis Center allows people like Sara to work with a team of caring professionals who are dedicated to helping them through life's darkest moments. Thank you!