How to get free or low cost treatment, where you are?

[Swift]

Hey all,
I thought I'd start this thread to talk about options for free/ low cost treatment.
I know finances are an issue for me, so I guess I thought I'd share what I know.
In Australia, you can go to your GP and ask for 10 sessions under a mental health plan, which is nowhere near enough if you're me.
What I didn't know, and my GP didn't know, is that you can get 20 sessions with a provider of your choice with no gap payment, expanded infinitely if you fill out a 2 page form online where you don't even have to name the perpetrator, through Victim's Services. I was really worried about doing the form and it took me a few months to even open the link, but it's paying for my treatment currently.
There are resources locally, like centres and stuff, but I didn't want to use them, although I'm happy to provide info to others if they want to know.
I guess: does anyone have a hack for low or no cost treatment that might help someone else?

 

[Esterio]

Thanks Swift

That may work here in Canada also I will try and find out from our poverty law advocate.

Peace be safe

 

[Ronin]

Free, usually health insurance. It does not necessarily simplify access, but is the most available route.

Outside of that system, NGOs :)

Other alternative would be churches linked charities with both mental health and law practitioners on their board, but they are more underfunded than the NGOs in general so the providing of services can be very temporary and rocky. Good in desperate times though.

Low cost: via sympathetic and agreeable therapists that can afford it or specialize in vulnerable groups where the baseline is poverty (think students, homelessness, people with psychosis reluctant to fit in psychiatric system covered by the health insurance and needing stabilization or at least being kept alive.)

 

[ILoveLife]

Here in Portugal...

The state provides free treatment.
There are free support groups for most mental disorders, DV situations as well, by some institutions.
Social services provide home care for those who need it and ask for it.

Private care is mostly low cost, you just need to search for a bit around.
Insurance costs close to nothing and covers a lot.

 

[KwanYingirl]

I’m in the US, Maine specifically. States are allowed to limit the number of sessions to whatever they want. Some states have parity laws that mandate no limits on number of visits in rape/sexual assault cases. The patient has to go to providers that accept their insurance company. The skies the limit for me. My health insurance is very progressive and generous with mental health support.
For people who don’t have private insurance, their are community mental health facilities that charge according to income. One step further are people that can’t afford a penny, they qualify for Welfare and have to go to providers in that system.

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

In my area...US, Virginia....there are sexual abuse and domestic violence shelters that have offices where they offer free counseling to those who qualify. The only thing necessary to qualify is having experienced one or both. No insurance required. The counselors are sometimes well trained in the legal aspects as well as the psychological. You can go as often as you need to for as long as you need/want to. It's been a life saver for me, for sure, as I had some horrific experiences via the typical insurance approved routes.

I also luckily crossed paths with some alternative healers (chiro, acupuncture, reiki, massage therapy, sound healing, etc.) who were/are willing to barter...but I was seeking them out for other specific physical ailments at the time. I later learned how incredibly grounding and helpful each thing was towards my overall physical and mental health needs as I learned more about how everything is connected. Found them through acquaintances I made at local drum circles and free community healing workshops and such. Great thread idea. Thanks for starting it.

 

[Chris-duck]

I'm in the UK so there's the NHS, but depending on urgency and health board etc there can be a massive waiting lists so I know a lot of people I know use charities for counselling and just check they're registered with the therapist registery people whose name escapes me.

 

[LuckiLee]

Great idea for a thread. I just wish I could add more information for everyone.

 

[Still Standing]

I'm also in the states. If one has health insurance coverage, they usually offer mental health services. There is usually a deductible to pay and each plan has limits of service. There is Medicaid for those who are very low income and services can differ from state to state. There is also Medicare for those who are in their mid 60's and on. This may be 80% covered or 100% if you carry a supplemental insurance plan. I also know that my friend utilized free counseling services through their local YMCA's abused women's support group.