Support for your mental health comes in many forms. It can include medication, one-on-one or group therapy, family counseling, connecting with people in similar situations, and more. It may involve doctors, counselors, social workers, and other professionals with special training.
If you’re struggling with mood issues, your first step is an appointment with a medical doctor to see if something physical may be causing or contributing to them. From there, a little research will help you figure out what kind of mental health care you need, how to get it, and how to afford it.
Hotlines and Warmlines
If you or someone you know is having a crisis, get help right away. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7. You can call or text to speak with a counselor, or use the chat feature of their website. If the situation is life-threatening, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
A step below a hotline is a so-called warmline, where you can get support from a trained volunteer. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) operates a nationwide HelpLine, and there’s a directory of local resources at warmline.org.
How to Find Mental Health Care
- Your primary care doctor can discuss which options may be helpful for you and refer you to a mental health specialist.
- Most insurers, Medicaid, Medicare, and the VA cover mental health care and can help you find treatment.
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) operates a 24-hour National Helpline to connect you with services in your area.
- Online provider directories include the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, and Psychology Today.
- Many companies have a benefit called an employee assistance program where you can get a certain number of free therapy or counseling sessions or referrals.
Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy)
This is a part of treatment for almost all mental health issues and includes a wide range of providers, techniques, and settings.
In general, therapy teaches you skills to cope with life’s challenges and helps you understand what’s behind problematic thoughts and behaviors so you can change them.
You work with a therapist either one-on-one, in a group with other patients, or both. It may take some shopping around to find someone you connect with and an approach that works for you.
Medications
Antidepressants, antipsychotics, and other drugs may also be part of your treatment. But only certain professionals can prescribe mental health medications, including psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. If you’re working with a different type of therapist, they can coordinate with your primary care doctor or another health care professional who can write a prescription if medication is necessary.
Telehealth
It’s become much more common to get health care over the phone or through a video link. This can be especially helpful if you don’t have a lot of in-person options where you live or you have limited time to travel to appointments. You can get both individual and group therapy this way, and some types of virtual therapy may cost less than in-person sessions.
Inpatient Care
This kind of treatment is for people who need round-the-clock care. For example, you might be admitted to the psychiatric department of a hospital for a few days during a mental health crisis. Doctors work to keep you safe and stabilize your situation while they come up with a longer-term treatment plan.
Residential Treatment
Like with inpatient care, you stay overnight at a residential treatment facility. But it’s more of a home-like environment. This type of treatment can last for weeks or months and is common for substance abuse disorders. It involves intensive therapy sessions and education to help you manage your mental health when you go home.
Navigating Insurance
Most insurers have to pay for mental health care at the same level as they do physical health care. But check your plan to learn the rules about things like:
- Copays
- Referrals
- Prior approval
- Treatment limits
- In- and out-of-network rates
- Prescription benefits
See if your insurance company has a case manager who can walk you through the options.
Finding Affordable Care
If you don’t have health insurance:
- Ask your therapist if they bill on a sliding scale where the fee depends on your income.
- Your medical center may have a financial navigator who can connect you with grant programs or work out a payment plan.
- If you live near a medical school, consider being seen by a med student or intern.
- If you’re in college, explore your campus health services.
- For help paying for medication, you may qualify for an assistance program from a drug company or nonprofit group.
Free or Low-Cost Clinics
Many cities and towns have resources like free clinics, which are paid for by donations, and community health centers, which get government funding. Availability is different depending on your income and whether you have insurance or qualify for government programs.
Check with your local health department to see what’s offered where you live. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing keeps a list of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, and SAMHSA has links to state mental health agencies at FindTreatment.gov.
Peer Support
It can be very helpful to connect with others who’ve had similar experiences, both to enhance your treatment and maintain your recovery.
You can look online for support groups specific to your mental health challenges, or join a program like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. There are also one-on-one mentorship programs, like NAMI Peer-to-Peer, where you get guidance from someone who has been where you are.
These programs can be in person or virtual. They’re often free, or they may request a small donation for administration and supplies.
Show Sources
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SOURCES:
National Institute of Mental Health: “Help for Mental Illnesses,” “Getting Mental Health Support Virtually.”
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: “Types of Health Care Providers: Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol,” “How to Pay for Mental Health, Drug, or Alcohol Treatment,” “Mental Health Treatment: What Does Health Insurance Cover?” “Free & Low Cost Treatment Options for Mental Health and Substance Use,” “Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs),” “Peer Support Workers for Those in Recovery,” “Find a Support Group for Mental Health, Drugs, Alcohol.”
National Alliance on Mental Illness: “Finding a Mental Health Professional,” “Psychotherapy,” “Treatment Settings,” “What is Mental Health Parity?” “Getting Help Paying for Medications,” “NAMI Peer-to-Peer.”
Mental Health America: “Choosing a Mental Health Provider: A Step-by-Step Guide,” “Need to Talk to Someone? (Warmline.org),” “Finding Help,” “Hospitalization,” “Paying for Care,” “What Is Peer Support?”
American Psychiatric Association: "Warm Lines: Providing Help Before a Crisis Develops," “Employee Assistance Programs.”
Mayo Clinic: “Mental Health Providers: Tips on Finding One,” “Psychotherapy.”
HealthCare.gov: “Mental Health & Substance Abuse Coverage.”
CDC: “Mental Health Resources.”
American Psychological Association: “Psychotherapy: Understanding Group Therapy.”
Anxiety and Depression Association of America: “Understanding Group Therapy and Support Groups,” “Understanding Levels of Care in Mental Health Treatment.”
American Residential Treatment Association: “Understanding Facility Types.”
The Jed Foundation: “7 Ways to Get Affordable Mental Health Care.”
The American Health Lawyers Association: “The Free Medical Clinic: A Practical Handbook for Health Care Providers.”
Health Resources & Services Administration: “Health Centers: A Guide for Patients.”
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing: “What Is a CCBHC?"
Mental Health Foundation: “Peer Support.”
