[IntricateSunlight]

Hey, I think I've needed to see a professional for a while now (I guess a therapist) and I don't have any health insurance nor a job. I'm a 20 year old college student who lives at home still. I'm afraid to tell my parents and explain everything to them. I've tried before when I was still in high school but it didn't work well. I didn't disclose a lot of information, just that I needed serious help and nothing really happened. Now I'm old enough to go on my own, but I don't really know how to go about it, or if I can afford it. Can anyone give me some insight on this?

[~Christina]

Colleges typically have Therapist you can see, and usually free ! Ask at the Health center.

[yellowfrog268]

There are options

1. Community mental health centers. They usually work on a sliding scale fee.

2. Your university or college may offer some help. Check with student services about on campus programs or mental health provider's the school makes referrals to.

3. Check with your local chapter of N.A.M.I. NAMI Connection - NAMI-NC | North Carolina’s Voice On Mental Illness or Department of Health and Human services NC DAAS: Individual and Family Adjustment Services

4. This one also seems promising: HRSA - Find a Health Center - Search Page

[Perna]

I went to my university counselling center at that age. I would also check out your town's and county's resources.

I had a friend who as her student job worked for the head of the "Health" department (I lived on campus) and I went and talked to him initially and he confirmed I probably should go to the school counselling center.

[healingme4me]

When I was in college, I used on-campus services. Offered free to students. I didn't want to tell my mom, that I was going to counseling. She was the anti-therapy influence in my life. My father was the opposite.

Although, hiding things from parents, maybe, it's not a bad idea to sit them down. Does it stand to reason, you are covered under your parents health insurance? Being in college, I recall insurance was necessary, even if you bought the one offered by the college.

If you could get in under your parents insurance, you may get more options in who you are seeing. Seeking out therapy, involves finding someone you mesh with. They aren't all the same.

[ThisWayOut]

yeah, your school should have a number of options for you. I initially saw someone at a work-study job I had, then later went to health services and saw someone there for the duration of my studies. I also know the psych department and human development department had their own counseling centers that offered services to students free of charge (they were a way for grad students to get experience and students/community members to get some help). As suggested earlier, you can call over to health services or the psych department or any other social work/human services department and see if they have any offerings.

[IntricateSunlight]

Thanks for your input guys. I'll look at the links when my internet stops being weird. Honestly though, I'm very anxious about the entire thing though. It would make me feel strange to go up to someone and ask in person though.

Also, I don't go to a university (not yet anyway), I go to a community college.

[Perna]

Check what your county has to offer: NC MHDDSAS: LMEs by County

I would maybe join a study or other group at college, spend more time on campus and around other students, get to know more people your age and keep your ears open see if anyone is talking about their difficulties and what they do.

It can be hard when you are living at home. Go to the library, get out a bit more? Go where there are more resources and opportunities. Can you use your skills to get a volunteer job with a social service agency? Then you might be able to find someone who knows someone who knows. . .

[anneo59]

Originally Posted by IntricateSunlight

Hey, I think I've needed to see a professional for a while now (I guess a therapist) and I don't have any health insurance nor a job. I'm a 20 year old college student who lives at home still. I'm afraid to tell my parents and explain everything to them. I've tried before when I was still in high school but it didn't work well. I didn't disclose a lot of information, just that I needed serious help and nothing really happened. Now I'm old enough to go on my own, but I don't really know how to go about it, or if I can afford it. Can anyone give me some insight on this?

I think the folks here have given you great advice, and I hope that you have access to something mentioned or find something else appropriate. I hope you can tell your parents. Though I understand that's not always a possibility. Maybe you know a counselor or pastor, or therapist. Maybe you can exchange services or barter for treatment. But if you feel you need it, please do seek it out. I wish you my very heartfelt best! I do remember being in similar shoes many years ago. The best!

[MusicLover79]

I'm 22 and I didn't tell my parents I wanted to see a therapist. The therapist that I saw worked with me on a price. A lot of therapists have sliding scale fees but you have to look around for them. And most colleges offer free counseling with tuition or at a cheap price. There are also some cities that offer free counseling to people who can't afford it but want help.