Mental health services for the uninsured?

I'm hoping that the hivemind here might be able to help me out as I try to help a friend.

I have a fairly close friend who is going through a rather dark period. He was recently let go from his job (this was a huge blow -- his job was his identity in many ways) and his relationship does not seem to be going well. He's barely hanging on with savings and unemployment and he lost his health insurance when his job was terminated.

My friend has a history of mental health issues although he was not currently in treatment or taking medication when he lost his insurance. Understandably, the recent change in his professional and personal circumstances has left him in a bad place, and I really think he needs help. Obviously though it's hard to get mental health care (or any health care for that matter) when you're not insured.

I'm really not knowledgeable at all in this area, and I was wondering if anyone here was aware of mental health services -- counseling etc -- that are available to uninsured people. I'm going to see him next week and I want to have some options I can present him with.

Thanks in advance.

Unfortunately, no. He was a systems analyst.

Updated On: 8/26/16 at 10:44 AM

Here's a list of mental health services for the unisured in the NYC area:

https://therapysafetynet.org/resources/additional-resources-uninsured/

Larry, even though he was let go from his job, if he had health insurance through his company, in almost every instance,he should have been offered COBRA which is the right to continue one's health insurance for up to 18 months by paying the full cost of the coverage (most employers pay a large portion of the cost for active employees). While the cost of the unsubsidized premium may be too much for him long term, if his health plan had mental health benefits which most do these days, he might consider just keeping it for a month or two so he can utilize those benefits to get him through this rough patch and then drop the coverage which you can do at the end of any full month.

Also, if he was on good terms with his employer and his employer had an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) which typically provides access to trained counselors, he might ask if his employer might be willing to allow him to continue to access the program for a few additional months. Some employers might be willing to do that for a good employee who had to be let go for budget and business reasons, rather than for poor performance or misconduct.

Good luck.

LarryD2 said: "When I last spoke with him (and told him I thought he needed help), he said that he was offered COBRA but couldn't afford the payments. The number he said sounded really high (like $500/month). Is that normal?



Unfortunately, yes, it is. People whose company pays a large percentage of the cost of their health coverage often have no idea how much that coverage really costs until they have to pay it all themselves. Depending on the plan he had, $500 doesn't seem out of line at all.

Larry,

I sincerely hope your friend is able to turn the corner soon. And I'm really heartened by the sound and prompt responses from others on here. This message-board rocks!

I spoke to a Yankee friend of mine re this. She suggested checking church( religious) outreach groups. Even if you are not a member they often don't ask about affiliation. Also, along the same lines she joined OE Anon just to use the group support after her mom's death and still goes now , tho more to payback.



It Gets Better- Just Keep Swimming-

SNAFU said: "Why we need Universal Health Care that includes mental health issues NOW!





"

Exactly. To explain the process in Australia - anyone can go to a general practitioner medical doctor for free, explain that they are having some issues with their mental health and then receive a referral to see a psychologist for up to 10 sessions per year free of charge*

* The system isn't perfect - the actual funding provided by the government is not enough for most psychologists, so will charge a substantial gap fee. However, there are psychologists that will only charge at the level of the government rebate so it's still possible to access mental health services at a free cost.

Bernie was right on this one. You guys need a universal public health care system.