How do I get Mental Health Services with No Money and No Insurance?

Over the months I have spent here on My Depression Connection, I have answered a lot of your questions.  Many of these questions focus upon acquiring mental health services.  It has occurred to me that as I offer up a suggestion to contact a therapist or even to try medication, many of you do not have the money or the insurance to pay for these services.  In these bad economic times, it is hard enough to put food on the table let alone pay for mental health care. 

In response to those of you who simply cannot afford to pay a therapist or pay for mental health treatment, I wanted to compile a resource list of ways you can find care despite your lack of funds.

I want this post to be on-going and additive, meaning I want you to post comments of any other resources you know about out there to help others who do not have the financial means to pay for mental health care.  Working together as a community, I am hoping to create the best list for resources for those who need it.  Please help me to keep compiling information here. 

Hotlines

If you ever feel like you are suicidal or wish to harm yourself I want you to call one of the many hotlines out there for this purpose.

Here are some numbers should you ever need them:

1-800-273-8255

1800-784-2433

1800-799-4889  

There is also 24 hour email support for those who are feeling suicidal which you may find here. 

There are also hotline numbers given by the National Mental Health Information Center from topics ranging from children's mental health to substance abuse treatment.  Just follow this link.

Finding a Therapist or Mental Health Center:

When I was a young adult I was suffering from my mood disorder but had nowhere to turn.  I was in college and was working for minimum wage at a bakery.  I hardly had funds for a therapist.  But someone told me about the community center where I lived and that I could possibly find help there.  I called and found someone to see who was a graduate student training to become a counselor.  She wasn't so experienced yet but she did help me get through some very trying times.  So help is out there.  You just have to be creative in looking for it and too you may have to adjust your expectations of the services you may receive. 

Here are some resources which may help you:

*  The Partnership for Prescription Assistance has a Free Clinic Finder if you type in your zipcode you will find clinics in your area.

*  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources also has a listing of free clinics in your area.  All you have to do is plug in your geographic location.  You may find that listing here.

*  The National Alliance on Mental Illness may also provide information of where to find treatment or mental health care in your area.  You may call them toll free at 1-800-950-NAMI or contact them through their web site which you may find here.