Getting help

Hi everyone, I'm new here so I don't really know where to start. I have been dealing with depression for such a long time now. I haven't been treated, mainly because I do not have the finances to pay for it. I can't afford the meds or the cost of a doctor's visit. I am getting to the point now where I know I have to seek help.

I am a single mother now, age 32. My husband passed away of cancer in 2001, he was 29 and at the time I was 28. We have two children, they are 12 and 10 now. I live in a place where I have no family, so therefore no support system. I do have a large family in Ohio, but that is so far from where I live. I also just lost my father this past month. He died of cancer like my husband. It really took a toll on me to see the two men in my life die such horrible deaths. It's been really hard just getting up in the mornings and taking care of my kids. I have lost alot of weight in the last month, and I just feel so alone and lost.

I have been battling depression since my teens, but since 2001 it has gotten so severe I am scared. I have thoughts that I don't want to have. Sometimes I wish I was the one who died instead of my husband. Anyway I didn't wanna get into such a lengthy discussion on my first post.

I was wondering are there programs out there that are free? I have very little income right now, I lost my job (due to depression and just not caring). So I am living on the survivor's benefits for my children only right now. I need to get help for this depression, so I can get my life back together. If anyone has more info about this please post it. I really need help NOW. Thank you so much for being here and listening.

Hello ExoticChaos and welcome to the forums here.

There are a lot of programs available for people who can not afford, or think they cannot afford care. I know it sucks but not being able to pay is not an acceptable reason to suffer. But there are programs available, sometimes there are free clinics or clinics that provide help on a sliding scale based on what you can afford. I think you could probably start by contacting your local hospital and ask for their mental health department and ask what kinds of programs are available in your community. If you are a member of a church or temple they also sometimes have programs to help people pay for health care. I know so some people who had most or all of their hospital, followup, and prescription bills paid for by community programs.

Keep looking and good luck. On this board you will find a lot of helpful and supportive people who can help you by letting you express your feelings and also offering their experience and knowledge of other resources that are available.

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--http://www.idexter.com

Exotic Chaos,
I am sorry that I do not have much advice for you right now but I just wanted to welcome you to the forums here. I know that someone will beable to answer your questions better then I.

Jessica

<font color=blue>The worst is over now and we can breathe again
I wanna hold you high, you steal my pain away
There’s so much left to learn, and no one left to fight
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain</font color=blue>
~Seether and Amy Lee

I'm so sorry that you have endured so many losses so recently, Exotic.

Dexter's correct - try calling your State Department of Mental Health. You can go to the state run programs for free or on a sliding fee scale (like $5 or something). Also, given your financial circumstances, you should be eligible for Medicaid.

Don't give up; you are important, and your kids need you!

Welcome to the board.

<font color=blue>HI FROM PEANUT</font color=blue>

Thank you all so much for the help! Your advice has given me hope. I contacted the Gulf Coast Mental Health Center today. They told me to come in to talk to them. I filled out all the forms and I qualify on a sliding scale basis. Due to my income I am also more than likely eligible for free medication. (I am not on medicaid, they wouldn't approve me for it.) I am so relieved. My first appointment is on the 23rd with the therapist. I only pay $15 per visit and with getting free medication it is something I can definitely afford. They also have a 24 hour crisis hotline I can call in the middle of the night if need be. They also said that if I really need to come in before the 23rd, they would fit me in somehow. It is SUCHHH a relief to finally know that I am going to get help. I have suffered with depression for so long I don't know what it feels like to be normal. I am tired of feeling down all the time, feeling like life is hopeless. I know my depression is affecting my kids. Being so far away from family and being the only real adult in their lives for support has taken a toll on them also. So getting help is not only for me, it's for my kids sanity as well.

Once I begin treatment and talking with the therapist, I may move back to Ohio with my family. I was thinking about doing it before school started but I really had no motivation at all. Also I am so scared to make such a huge decision when I'm feeling so depressed. I didn't think it was such a good idea to make such a major decision right now. Plus the finances put a damper on moving everything 900 miles. I really think once I begin treatment and start feeling normal again, I can make the decision with alot more confidence.

This board looks like it will also be a great help. I just really want to thank you all so much for your advice. I had no idea where to start and I desperately need help. (((((hugs)))))

Deanna

Exotic Choas,
The more you post here the more comfortable you will become (and the less overwhelmed). I am looking forward for the chance to get to know you better.

Jessica

<font color=blue>The worst is over now and we can breathe again
I wanna hold you high, you steal my pain away
There’s so much left to learn, and no one left to fight
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain</font color=blue>
~Seether and Amy Lee