When you have a mental health condition, in many cases you are unable to work. If you live in the U.S. this can be especially problematic because it can affect your ability to received health insurance coverage. So, if you find yourself having difficulty getting the help you need because you can’t afford it, refer to the list in this article. Below, there are ten possible things you can do to deal with what may seem like a devastating and impossible situation.
And remember: Your health is the most important thing in your life. If you aren’t healthy you can’t live and enjoy life. It’s not a possibility to give up on getting the healthcare you need even when something as tough as lack of finances stands in your way. There are things you can do. Although you feel alone you are not the first person to deal with this issue. In many states, there a funded resources to help people in need.
What to do when you can’t afford health insurance and you’re depressed
Search for sliding scale therapists. Many therapists offer what’s called a sliding scale fee, which means you pay a rate per therapy session that is based on your income level. This could be as little as $20 per session. It’s helpful for you and for them. Many therapists don’t like to have to turn away business to those who need it most. They realize the truth of the market they’re in, that many people with mental illness cannot afford therapy.
Look into federally funded programs. In many states there are federally run programs. For many of them you can participate by a pay by donation fee of what you can afford. To find a center near you visit: http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/
Seek out local organizations and crisis resource centers. Your city or state may have crisis organizations and centers that help community members dealing with many issues, including mental illness. In many areas you can access one of these centers simply by dialing 211.
Look into patient-assistance programs provided by pharmaceutical companies. If you’ve been to a doctor and have been prescribed a medication that you can’t afford you can see if the pharmaceutical company that manufactures your offers a patient-assistance payment program. If you need prescription assistance visit Partnership for Patient Assistance for more information.
Are you eligible for Medicaid coverage? If you are a U.S. citizen with a low income or a disability you may be able to apply for Medicaid and CHIP. They provide free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans, this includes people with mental health issues. Programs are run by federal and state governments together so the details vary between states.
Use the free immediate help features on this site. ReadThisBeforeYouKillYourself.com has a suite of free and low-cost resources specifically created for people suffering from depression, mental health issues and who may be considering suicide. You can use the Ask an Expert feature to send an anonymous question to a team of healthcare experts, or take the 7-day Feel Better Now program that will teach you tactics for immediate pain relief.
Use Quora. Have a question for an health care expert? You can also use Quora to post an inquiry and get it answered by many professionals. They can help point in the right direction.
Participate in clinical trials. It may not sound ideal but participating in a clinical trial can be a free way to get the therapy and drugs that may be able to help you. There are many research studies being conducted across the country and many are at the forefront of the latest therapies for treating mental health.
Appoint a health advocate. As you read through this list of options you may feel overwhelmed and exhausted by everything you need to do. Appoint someone in your life to help you navigate the healthcare system. This person can do all the research and find the resources for you, when you can’t do it yourself.
Don’t give up. No matter how alone you feel, there are thousands of people who want to know about what you are dealing with and who are waiting to help you. Sometimes acknowledging that you don’t know what to do and asking people in your life to help you will give you the support you need to succeed.
Need help now? Use the Ask an Expert. Let us know what you need by providing us with a question and the details of your situation. It’s anonymous and you’ll get a response within 24 hours.