What is a clinically depressed, broke, jobless person supposed to do?

I am clinically depressed and it is getting worse. I've suffered from depression and anxiety most of my adult life but for the past 3 years it's been unbearable.

I was on Indiana low income insurance and tried to see my primary care provider about my depression but there was a 2 1/2 month wait....by the time my appointment rolled around I had a job and they had cancelled my insurance because my income was too high.

I just quit my job however and am right back to square one. I've went to a therapist....again....low income....for about a month and half and she kept saying she was going to refer me to a doctor for medication....but she never did. Then I was told I would be getting a new therapist and just quit going.

People always say "why didn't they ask for help" when someone ends their life, like Bourdain recently but it seems nobody cares unless you have health insurance....but I can't keep a job long enough to get insurance because of my depression and anxiety.

I can barely get out of bed and I've called and called around to low cost clinics trying to get help and nothing. I wish I was stronger but I just don't see the point of keeping this up anymore. If I try again to get low income insurance it's a long process. I can't see a doctor because I have no money. I can't keep a job because of whatever is going on in my head.


What is someone who is clinically depressed, no insurance, no money, no job and at the end of their rope supposed to do?

I'll tell you of an option right off. Go to your local ER. Tell them how you're feeling, tell them that you need HELP. Now. Once you're seen in the ER you will be hooked up much more quickly with health insurance than you would be if you went through the application process. I understand that you do not feel strong, but you are strong enough to get to the ER and find help.

Keep us posted!

Thanks, I’m just afraid if I go to the ER they’ll lock me up.

Brownmike, how do you perceive being locked up? When you're on a psychiatric unit, the doors are typically locked, but it's still a hospital. You'll be seen by a physician (hopefully daily) and given meds that might actually work. You'll be fed (sometimes very well), and see a therapist and/or social worker who can help you access outpatient services. If going inpatient is recommended, maybe it's a good thing?

Some hospitals are better than others, for sure, but Hollywood's version of a psychiatric hospital is a gross exaggeration. All hospitals are actually planning your discharge on the day of your arrival; they're typically crisis-oriented (short-term vs. long-term), and beds are in short supply, so the turnaround time from admission to discharge is amazingly short. Sometimes you'll have nothing to do, so boredom is the rule, not torture.

It may surprise you that ER physicians don't always recommend psychiatric admission once they assess your risks versus their liability. Sometimes it's determined that a 2- to 5-day hospitalization wouldn't serve any purpose, even when they acknowledge that you're suffering. It's not unusual for patients to be disappointed or even angry when they're discharged from an emergency room after being deemed safe enough.

Being hospitalized means a temporary loss of autonomy, but there's not that much drama. Really, I would encourage you to do what's necessary. You won't regret reaching out for help.

When I was in college I actually did a drug study where I was in a mental unit. I only had to stay overnight a few times during the study.....but it was horrible.

There’s also the fact that everyone would know.

If I go in and say I’m thinking about hurting myself they’ll lock me up.

If I go in and just say I’m really really depressed they’ll just release me, make me an apt that will probably be weeks away and I’ll get a huge hospital bill.

I just need to see a doctor but that doesn’t seem to be in the cards. Like I’ve said people always ask why depressed people didn’t try to get help when the fact is I’ve tried to get help everywhere and nobody cares unless you have cash or insurance.

Sorry for being so negative but this isn’t my first rodeo with depression. I’ve had this problem for over 2 decades and instead of things getting better they’re just getting worse and I think I’ve gotten to a point where it’s just not worth it anymore.

Sorry you are going through such a rough time. I can understand how frustrating it can be with no insurance or cash for a doctor visit. I agree with talking a trip to the ER. Maybe it will be different this time. I have a friend that is in the same financially situation and was seen and taken care of at the ER. He was told to follow up with a doctor (even though he didn't have a primary care doctor. The doctor and nurse were very helpful in giving him information on Free Clinics in the area and where to get medication at no cost due to being unemployed. I know some hospitals also have programs where you can get help to eliminate your hospital bills due to no/little income. It's great that you are reaching out for help. Don't be ashamed or worry what others will think. Most important thing is getting you better. You are not alone in this battle. Praying that you get the help that you need without any hassle. Take care

Well, I've been thinking about your dilemma. Firstly, I didn't mean to speak in a condescending way about hospitalization, so I apologize. You obviously know a great deal more than I assumed.

I was thinking about what I would do if I were in your position and wanted to avoid an enormous hospital bill, and here's what I'd do: In my rural area there's a community mental health center which is government funded. Most of the CMHCs in my state are connected somehow, and they have crisis stabilization units located throughout the state. I think these are like small psychiatric inpatient facilities...I'm not sure, exactly, but they charge on a sliding scale. The staff there is very, very good. Many well-trained physicians actually seek positions in CMHCs (because of the excellent benefits), and the caliber of care can be first-class. This is the situation in my state, so Indiana must have something similar.

Really, Brownmike, does it matter who knows? You deserve to have some relief.

Go to the ER, I did. Best thing I ever did for myself. It took a couple tries, and two hospital stays but I got the best treatment ever and I'm finally on meds that are working for me. Why not buy a plane ticket and check yourself in at mission hospital Laguna Beach?

Hey Brownmike, that’s a scary place to be in without support, I don’t know exactly what you should do but I feel for you and I really hope you can figure something out

Hey Brownmike. I truly feel for you. My brother is on SSI and lives in Indianapolis. He's been trying for 5 months to get in with a therapist and the only one he's been able to get booked with has cancelled his first three appointments.

You'd think in a city this size better mental health care would be a given but it sucks. Please hang in there and I hope something shakes loose for you soon.

Hi, yeah, I didn't have much problem seeing a therapist but she never sent me to see a doctor about medication. They have to refer you. I made an apt on my own using my HIP insurance but like I said the apt was for 2 1/2 months after I made it.

I think part of the problem is I'm pretty good at appearing "normal" so maybe my therapist didn't understand just how bad my anxiety and depression are. Like I said I've had this problem for years and I've just dealt with it the best I could...which looking back isn't very well.

But now it's just taken over my life and I just can't see any light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks. That's encouraging. Did they lock you up in a mental wing though? Like I said, I was in one, I was free to move around and leave the mental wing because I was just there as part of a study but I saw the people in there, I had people coming up to me....people screaming all through the night....just not a place I'd like to be....

Another fear of mine is I don't outwardly appear all that bad. I think that might have been one of the problems with my therapist, maybe she thought I was exaggerating or that my depression was treatable without meds. I just can't understand why she never made the apt for me to see a doctor.

I don't outwardly appear that bad, either, and I would encourage you to behave and dress like you normally would. If you go to the ER, just tell them that you need help now. I don't think there's any way a doctor wouldn't take you seriously. As part of screening, an ER doc will sometimes ask what it is you want to have happen. So think about that, Brownmike. Surrendering and allowing others to help can be a great relief. If you think that less restrictive measures will help, then that's a viable option, too.

Hi, I am new here and I came across your post and wanted to offer a few suggestions. I have some acquaintances who have been suffering with long term depression as well as being down on their luck financially and found help on these websites. Depression Outreach,Focus on the Family/Mental Health, and Looking Up From the Stubborn Darkness Listly.ly
Hope they help.
Cassie

Thanks. I appreciate it.