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Originally Posted by Martek
New here, I have known for a long time that I was Bi-polar but I was in denial. I had some very bad manic episodes when I was a teen but my family kept me out of any real trouble. Now in my 40's I don't have that safety net and have really hit the ground hard. Four years ago I was diagnosed with with severe depression but I lied through the rest of my symptoms and was sent home. Over the past four years I have put on my happy face whenever I was with people and got home and cried. I'm uninsured so I can't get therapy or medication and am getting very close to the end of my rope. I don't know where to turn so maybe someone who has worked through this can help. I really don't know how much longer I can go on, don't panic I'm not suicidal yet but I can feel myself heading there. Please help me, I am so lost.
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Martek, Over the years, I have found that not even professional social workers in a town always know what is there in your community that you are eligible for. You really have to do a lot of asking around. Is there a publicly run hospital near you? Is there any hospital near you that is hooked up with a medical college, so that the college sends young doctors to do their residencies at the hospital? If so, I found those to be where I can get the best level of care. And the charge can be lower than a private place that does sliding scale. It might take a crisis to get through the door though. If you get into real emotional crisis, any hospital emergency room has got to see you and refer you somewhere. If it is a public hospital or a teaching hospital, it is apt to know more about low-income options. They may not even charge you for the emergency room visit if they "means test" you and you are sufficiently without financial resources.
This might sound off the wall, but I think is good to know about. It can be worth checking in with your local "Healthcare for the Homeless," if you have a clinic like that in your town, or in the nearest city, if there is a city not too far away. They are often the best source of information on what is available in your area for low, or no-, income persons (even those with a roof over their heads.) You might have to show up at the crack of dawn and wait in a line for a good while. It can be worth it. They are highly motivated to avoid seeing you become homeless, so they take an interest in anyone who is seriously distressed and low on finances.
Keep posting about how you are doing, especially if you aren't doing well. Here you will get support that can help you stay afloat enough to find treatment somewhere. I'm sorry you are feeling so much distress.