Are there any govt programs to help poor people get mental help, or be in a mental hospital?

Question

I am 20 years old in F.W. TX, and I think I need to spend some time in a mental hospital. All I can think about every day is ending it all, and I would have by now if I wasn't so scared it would hurt. I can't get myself to go out and do things because I am so scared of people and being around them. I also have trouble thinking, like am in a fog. I think that is what makes my family call me lazy and not believe me when I try to explain how things are for me. Everyone says, "get over yourself" or "go to church". I do not know what to do, because I can not function.
I am homeless and nearly out of money, and I heard that unless you do something crazy to make people think you are a danger to the public or "attempt" suicide, it is very expensive to be in a hospital voluntarily. I am scared people will think I am just trying to get a roof over my head. I don't know what to expect if I call 911, because I do not want the police to come and make a big scene.

I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, (MDD) about 6 months ago, and was on North Star for awhile but it expired in January. Although, I know nothing about the insurance because the place I was staying at set everything up and drove me to appts.
Are there things like, free mental clinics?

Answer 1

Here is a link to the Texas state mental health website.

http://mentalhealth.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=mentalhealth&cdn=health&tm=82&gps=97_333_1276_755&f=20&su=p284.5.420.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.mhmr.state.tx.us/

In Michigan they do have a program for people with low income or no insurance. It never escalated to the point my brother needed to be put in a hospital, but he did receive 6 state paid visits to a psychiatrist. We were told that he could also go to the nearest ER. It may be a starting point. They cannot refuse you even if you have no insurance and they can guide you best as I'm sure they are well read in the options available to you. I am so sorry to hear you are having such a hard time. Severe depression and mental illness are no laughing matter. It runs in my family and I have an uncle who committed suicide and a cousin. I aslo have a cousin who is in the hospital now and one living in a half way house. Feel free to email me if you ever need to talk, it's especially hard when you don't have the support of an understanding family. I hope everything works out for you!

Also have you tried applying for Medicaid?? I know sometimes severe depression and or mental illness can qualify you for benefits. Just a thought...

Answer 2

You would do well to contact your county's social services and ask for their mental health people. They will know what is available. You can also go to NAMI.org (national assoc on mental illness) and find out who to call locally for info. Also, you can call a crisis line, it's in your phone book community pages, probably, and they often have information. there may also be a "consumer" run support center-people treated for mental health problems are called consumers in the new lingo (part of disability empowerment) and they will give you the low down. I'll do a search on that and edit this answer if i find anything good.

Hospitals have to take you if it is an emergency, and you ought to find the nearest hospital with a psychiatric unit. You're a young person, so if you can't afford to pay, you don't have any assets that the hospital can take. (they can't take your car, your home, if you owned one, and a certain amount of cash on hand).

If you are thinking about suicide all the time, that is enough to get you admitted. the danger to yourself or others standard is for an involuntary hold or commitment. You may have to be persistent.

If you are unable to work, and have been unable for a long time, and treatment doesn't help very much, you will probably want to apply for disability benefits thru social security. You have to think on that hard, because once you get on disability, it is almost impossible to get off it again. the people with mental illnesses that I know who are disability have the more severe kinds.

All the best to you!
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Ok, here is the link to your state's consumer providers-that means that the group is run by people with mental illnesses. So you won't get the runaround.

http://www.tmhc.org/chapter.shtml

Answer 3

I'm so sorry. It's not your fault. I found these and I hope that you will use them.

Mental Health Mental Retardation of Tarrant County: Mental Health Services (Screening, Assessment and Crisis Services) is the front gate into mental health services for adults, adolescents, and children. Fees based on ability to pay. Crisis and Intake (24 hours): 817-335-3022. FAIR is the Child/Adolescent division of MHMR.

Tarrant County ACCESS For The Homeless: Enhances availability of services for homeless persons with mental illness through coordination and planning, with the goal to eliminate homelessness. 817-595-0274.

I have been to the Mental Health Department where I live a few times when I needed help or medication and didn't have insurance or a lot of money and it was a good experience that helped me. I hope you can do something like that. Don't be afraid or talk yourself out of it. One of the symptoms of depression is " stinkin thinkin about everything" so don't talk yourself out of getting help.

Answer 4

There are numerous programs available to help those without financial resources to get treatment that they need. Medicaid will cover the cost of hospitalization if needed and if you seek counseling through an outpatient mental health clinic it will also be covered with medicaid. It is difficult to assess here whether hospitalization is needed or not, but the suicidal thoughts you are having certainly represent a risk and the need for immediate treatment. If you look in the yellow pages of your phone book, you will also find a crisis services number and those folks should be able to help refer you to other appropriate services. many places have programs for those who are homeless and in need of psychiatric treatment. A final option, if you can get to a hospital with a psychiatric facility, go to the ER and request a psychiatric evaluation. They will be best able to determine the level of care most appropriate for you and if hospitalization isn't necessary they are mandated to refer you to appropriate services and they have to treat you whether you have medicaid or not and often they will start the process of helping you apply for it. Best of luck, but please do not delay seeking treatment. No one needs to live with the pain you're experiencing and you are entitled to treatment.

Answer 5

I wish that I could be there for you right now and wrap you in my arms and tell you that you are special and unique. I too am 20 years old and live in Northern IN.
I am so sorry that people are just casually telling you to get over yourself. It is hard. I know. There is a man who understands your pain. He came with humility and love and compassion and the people around him spit on him and beat him and betrayed him. His name is Jesus. I don't want to preach to you, I want you to know that Jesus, even though he was rejected by many came and died and rose again for you. He loves you were you are and is heart broken that you feel so alone.
I looked online and there is a church in FW called Harvest Church. They have a group called Celebrate Recovery. The group is a support group. They are there for each other and listen and love. Here is a link to their website. http://www.theharvestchurch.org/ministries/cr.cfm
I pray that you will consider attending and I pray that you will feel the presence of God in your life. God loves you so much that he sent his son to die, so you wouldn't have to. God loves you, and so do I.

Answer 6

go to local ER and tell they you are susiadal , they will admit you to a mental hospital and if your are truely poor the state will pick up the bill, been there and doing better

Answer 7

No.