Mental Health Help: How To Know When You Need It and Where To Go
By Brittany Freeman
Happy Mental Health Awareness Month!
IT CAN BE difficult to know when it’s time to get help for your mental health. For those of us who didn’t grow up with adequate mental health education, we’ve had to learn to teach ourselves. Luckily, the internet can be a vast source of information - but it can also be hard to know if the information you’re getting comes from a valid source. On top of that, reaching out for help isn’t as simple as it sounds. Although it’s getting better, there are still negative stigmas attached to being open about mental health issues, and it’s normal for it to feel scary and overwhelming when thinking about reaching out for help. Finally, finding the right source of help can be challenging. Does my insurance cover it? Can I afford it? How do I know who I can trust? In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re taking a look at how to know when to get help and where to turn for the help you deserve.
Each mental illness and individual has their own symptoms, but there are still some telltale signs that can indicate it’s time to get help. These include (but are not limited to):
Feeling as though your thoughts, emotions and behaviors are out of control, overwhelming, or causing disruptions to your daily life.
Struggling to cope with a traumatic incident or challenge, such as a death, divorce, or major illness.
Substance abuse is occurring and / or interfering with your daily life.
You are having suicidal thoughts or ideations.
An inability to cope with the regular challenges of everyday life.
Delusions, hallucinations, or extreme changes in mood.
Changes in personality, eating, or sleeping patterns.
HOW TO GET HELP
In a perfect world, everyone’s insurance would cover mental health issues, but unfortunately we’re not there yet. Insurance companies like United Healthcare, Kaiser, Cigna, and Aetna do provide mental health services under their coverage, and so do all state Medicaid programs. If you’re unable to access coverage through your insurance company, don’t fret. There are still some great and affordable options.
Open Path - Open Path is a psychotherapy collective offering affordable mental health counseling on a sliding scale ranging from $30 - $60 per session. A major discount when compared to the $150+ per session that most therapists in private practice offer, this service is accessible without insurance. Participants can search the Open Path database f0r a therapist by their specialties, treatment methods, and other criteria. From there, you can schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation with a therapist to make sure they’re the right fit before committing. Keep in mind that Open Path also requires a one-time membership fee of $59.
Southern California Counseling Center - For those in the Los Angeles area, there is the Southern California Counseling Center. They offer therapy for individuals, couples, families and children on a sliding scale based on your income. They aim to make therapy affordable for those who need it. To get started, head to the center for a $20 intake, where an initial interview takes place to establish your reasons for seeking therapy.
CalHOPE @ USC Telehealth - Another resource for Angelenos, USC Telehealth in partnership with CalHOPE is offering peer support counseling to California residents ages 12 and up. Focused on the emotional toll of COVID-19, this service is free and anonymous.
Los Angeles LGBT Center - The LA LGBT Center has counselors who are well-equipped to help with mental, emotional, and psychological issues that members of the LGBT community face, making it an amazing resource for individuals who identify as LGBT, gender non-conforming, gender queer, and gender fluid. Services are offered on a sliding scale fee based on your income and household size. The center also provides programs to assist LGBT people involved in domestic and intimate partner abuse and violence.
Online Counseling - Online therapy can be a good option for those who don’t have access to traditional, in-office therapy or need therapy outside of traditional working hours. Options include BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Wellnite.
Mental Health Hotlines - Sometimes, you just need someone to talk to on a moment’s notice. In these times, a hotline can help.
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 74174
National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline: (800) 662-4357
We hope this is helpful. Remember, you and your mental health are the most important! Take care of yourselves, you deserve it.