A Belarusian woman in Poland has lost her job and is facing serious mental health problems. She is asking for support while she undergoes treatment and searches for a new job.
My name is Natalia Derbysh. I am from Hrodna, but I have been living in Poland since 2020. I had to leave Belarus after participating in protests, being detained, and facing pressure from law enforcers. All these years, I have been trying to build a life in emigration.
I came to Poland without money, plans, or acquaintances I could turn to in a difficult moment, so I had to start everything from scratch. At first, I worked at a factory, then for several years in gastronomy as a cook. Later, I got a job at a salon, where I provided hair treatments. At the same time, I took on odd jobs: filming and editing content, working in marketing — in general, looking for different ways to earn money.
In emigration, I have been living in a constant state of survival: work, rent, everyday expenses, stress, documents, trying to stay afloat. Almost always, it has been a life from one paycheck to the next. I hardly paid any attention to my health because I had neither the money, time, nor energy left for it. There was always something more important: paying rent, buying food, going to work, finding an odd job, getting through the next month. But recently, my body began to give out.
First, physical symptoms started appearing right at work: I felt nauseous even from drinking water, experienced weakness, heart pain, blood pressure problems, a low pulse, and panic attacks. At one point, I felt so unwell that I called an ambulance for the first time in my life. You could say they brought me back, and I realized that it was no longer possible to pretend that everything was fine.
I am now under the care of a psychiatrist and taking prescription medication. The doctor confirmed that my condition is related to prolonged stress, an adjustment disorder, and somatoform symptoms. This affects not only my mental health but also my body: panic attacks, nausea, weakness, and problems with blood pressure and my heart. I have been prescribed maintenance medication, which I need to continue taking.
Because my health deteriorated, I had to take sick leave, but my employer terminated my contract prematurely. This left me without the income that had barely covered my basic needs: rent, food, medication, and everyday expenses. I am now in a very difficult financial situation: all my savings are gone, and over the past few months I have gone into debt to pay for housing. Some days, I don’t even have money for food. At the same time, I need to continue treatment, buy prescription medication, see doctors, and look for a new job.
I want to return to a normal life: to work, pay my rent, buy food, and not wake up with the thought that I have no money again today. Right now, I need temporary support to get through this crisis and avoid falling even deeper.
Please support me. This help will give me the opportunity to get through the coming period, continue my treatment, recover, and return to an independent life.
Fundraising goal
€2000
€1000 – rent and utility bills
€500 – medication, consultations, and continuing treatment
€400 – food and basic everyday expenses
€100 – transportation and phone services for medical appointments and job searching