I don’t know about anyone else, but I love Autumn. I absolutely love it. It could be because I can be “basic” sometimes and love a good chunky sweater, or it could be because I welcome the respite of Texas summers. Whatever the reason, I look forward to this all year. I love the cool weather. I love the traditions that I am developing with my little family. I love seeing the joy on my daughter’s face of the new and exciting things to come.
However, this is not the case of what I am seeing in my office. I have been drowning in referrals for people seeking mental health treatment. According to the New York Times article, Fall Is the Season for Building Mindfulness and Resilience, some psychologists say that “feelings often crop up in Autumn stem from our discomfort with change and an anxiety and uncertainty about what that change will bring.” In our ever-changing and demanding world, a reminder that change is coming can overwhelm our systems. Every week, it seems like yet another historical event is happening. Most of us are burnt out from that alone, not to mention our personal struggles, stressors, or traumas. I can see why people are turning more and more towards getting therapy.
Mental health counseling is important for so many reasons. If I could work myself out of a job, I would. I mean that from the purest part of my soul. When I daydream, I often imagine mental health services readily available. What would the world look like if everyone had access to mental health services? Everyone’s pain and trauma would be treated. There would be no stigma. There would be healthy relationships and an ability to engage in thoughtful, meaningful discussions without jumping to conclusions, getting defensive, or arming ourselves from vulnerability. Core beliefs of “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t deserve love” would be brought into awareness, challenged, and reframed. Introspective work would be done so everyone is aware of their privilege and how they can use this to help others- whether those privileges be economic, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, upbringing, etc. Yes, I realize I’m extremely idealistic in this daydream, but hey, it’s MY daydream. Don’t like it? Get your own. I’ve seen what mental health counseling can do and recognize the power that it holds. If you allow it to, counseling can change your life.
I tell my clients how bravery is required to engage in counseling. However, while someone can make the courageous decision to take a step towards their mental health care, it may not be as simple as that. The fact is that my daydream could not be further away from reality. Mental health is not always accessible to everyone. There barriers that exist that make it difficult to engage in counseling: from lack of knowledge to stigma within your community to economic burdens felt in inflation.
I decided to put a compilation together of different resources one could go to if needed. If you feel so inclined and are able, consider donating to assist someone in their mental health journey. This list is representative of only some of what is available. Please, please, please share anything that isn’t listed here, and I would be happy to update this list. I do not receive any compensation from these recommendations. I’ve simply read their mission statements and appreciate that these organizations are trying to provide mental health to their communities.
DEALING WITH INSURANCE
If you have insurance, try calling them first. Most insurance companies have a number you can contact on the back of your insurance card or have your benefits listed directly online now.
Ask your insurance:
What mental health services are covered?
Is there any pre-authorization required?
How many sessions are authorized?
Which providers are IN network?
What is my co-payment?
Do I get reimbursed if I find a therapist that is out of network?
Unfortunately, some people don’t have mental health as part of their insurance. Therapy can be expensive paying out of pocket. Here are some things that you can try if you are interested in seeking help, but cannot afford the fee:
Ask the provider that you are interested in seeing if they have a sliding scale based on income/other factors
Universities have student centers, often with 10 free sessions
Teaching hospitals often want their students/interns to get experience and will provide free to low cost services
Your local church may have some resources that are available
Contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) National Helpline
“SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.” -SAMSHA website. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Local charity organizations can provide mental health services for free/low-cost or know where you can get them. Contact your local National Alliance for Mental Illness affiliate. https://www.nami.org/findsupport
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective: This is a non-profit national network of mental health professionals dedicated to providing counseling to individuals, couples, families in need at a steeply reduced rate. https://openpathcollective.org/open-path-staff/
MOBILE APPS THAT ONE CAN USE: While this is not the same as working with a mental health counselor, these are some resources to assist directly on your phone.
Calm https://blog.calm.com/blog/free-resources
Headspace https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app
Relax Melodies https://www.relaxmelodies.com
CBT-I Coach https://mobile.va.gov/app/cbt-i-coach
Virtual Hope Box https://www.research.va.gov/research_in_action/Virtual-Hope-Box-smartphone-app-to-prevent-suicide.cfm
AGENCIES HELPING THEIR COMMUNITIES:
The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation
Actor Taraji P. Henson’s foundation works to end the stigma around mental illness in the African-American community. Earlier in May, the foundation joined with The Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation to provide free access to therapy for people affected by the coronavirus crisis. You can view their page and support their mission here: https://borislhensonfoundation.org
The Loveland Foundation
The Loveland Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that provides financial assistance to Black women and girls seeking mental health support through their Therapy Fund. You can view their page and support their mission here: https://thelovelandfoundation.org/about/
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is a national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention to LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer & Questioning) youth under the age of 25. You can view their page and support their mission here: https://www.thetrevorproject.org
It Gets Better Project
It Gets Better Project seeks to empower and connect LGBTQ youth, with hopes of showing them their worthiness and power as individuals. They have thousands of streaming “It Gets Better” videos. While they do not specifically provide mental health counseling, they help link others to it via The Trevor Project, The Trans Lifeline, and The Crisis Text Line as well as resources for intersex youth, youth of color, and migrants, refugees, and asylees. You can view their page and support their mission here: https://itgetsbetter.org/about/
Headstrong
This is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to healing the hidden wounds of war. They are dedicated to providing evidence based, trauma treatment to treat the invisible wounds that so many veterans come home with. You can view their page and support their mission here: https://getheadstrong.org
Give an hour
Give an Hour is registered as a 501(c)3 non profit is a national network of volunteer professionals providing free and confidential mental health care to those who serve, our veterans, and their families. As per their website, since their beginning, there have been 311,000 hours of care provided. They have expanded their services for those impacted by natural disasters and healthcare workers. You can view their page and support their mission here: https://giveanhour.org
Know of a resource that I missed? Is there something that has helped you in the past? Drop me a comment below! I’d love to hear from you.
With care and bravery,
Maria B. Wiggins, LCSW-S, ADS
Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDR Consultant-in-Training