Question:
Perhaps the only thing worse than depression is having depression and
not being able to afford treatment. I frequently get letters from those
of you who are in just this predicament. I've collected here all of the
free and low-cost resources and ideas that I have come across in the
past couple of years. I will continue to add more as I find them. If you
have a suggestion for something that I've overlooked?
Answer:
LOW COST MEDS
Pill Splitting
An article in the September issue of Clinical Psychiatry News reports
that you may be able to purchase a higher dose pill at a cost only
slightly more than the dose you're currently on and split them in half.
In a presentation to the APA, it was reported that patients can save an
average of 37% off their current medication costs by pill splitting. A
list of the medications surveyed included popular antidepressants.
FREE MEDS
Needy Meds
This site is a bit difficult to navigate, but all the information you
need to get your meds for free can be found by clicking the name of your
drug in the list on the left side of the page. They are also trying to
sell a book, but all the same information can be found on their web site
for free. Appears to be frequently updated.
The Medicine Program
If you do not have insurance and do not qualify for government programs
you may qualify to enroll in a privately sponsored program. There is a
$5.00 processing fee for each medication requested through this
organization, but the medications themselves are free. Volunteers staff
this organization and the processing fee covers their expenses. They are
basically contacting the drug manufacturers on your behalf. You may also
contact these companies directly using the information provided in the
following link.
List of Companies Who Offer Free Meds to Low-Income Families
A few of the companies on this list allow family incomes as high as
$40,000. This list includes the drug name, the names of companies with a
patient-assistance program for this med, and the contact phone number
for each company. Some of these companies will require that your doctor
is the one who contacts them.
Free Samples
Often pharmaceutical companies provide physicians with free samples. Ask
your doctor is he/she has any samples on hand of your medication. I used
to get all my Buspar this way.
ALTERNATIVES TO PRESCRIPTION MEDS
There are several herbals and nutraceuticals on the market that are
reputed to work well as antidepressants and anti-anxiety treatments.
They are inexpensive and do not require a prescription. St. John's Wort,
melatonin, Kava Kava and Valerian have all been very effective for me
personally.
St. John's Wort (depression)
5-HTP (depression)
SAM-e (depression)
Vitamins and Minerals (depression)
Kava Kava (anxiety)
Valerian (anxiety and sleep)
Melatonin (sleep)
LOW COST TREATMENT
Sliding Scale Fees
Some providers may have sliding-scale fees. Based on your income, the
provider will reduce his or her fees.
Negotiate a Lower Fee with Your Doctor
Other providers, if they are aware of your financial limitations, may be
willing to negotiate a payment plan that you can afford or to lower
their rates according to what your insurance plan pays.
Community Mental Health Centers
Many communities have community mental health centers (CMHCs). These
centers offer a range of mental health treatment and counseling
services, usually at a reduced rate for low-income people. CMHCs
generally require that you have a private insurance plan or be a
recipient of public assistance.
For more information about Community Mental Health Centers:
National Council for Community Behavioral Health Care
12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 320
Rockville, MD 20850
voice: 301-984-6200
fax: 301-881-7159
http://www.nccbh.org/
Pastoral Counseling Programs
Your church or synagogue can put you in touch with a pastoral counseling
program. Certified pastoral counselors, who are ministers in a
recognized religious body, have advanced degrees in pastoral counseling,
as well as professional counseling experience. Pastoral counseling is
often provided on a sliding-scale fee.
For more information about Pastoral Counseling Programs:
American Association of Pastoral Counselors
9504-A Lee Highway
Fairfax, VA 22031-2303
voice: 703-385-6967
fax: 703-352-7725
http://www.metanoia.org/aapc/
e-mail: i...@aapc.org
SELF-HELP AND SUPPORT GROUPS
Another option is to join a self-help or support group. These groups
give people a chance to talk about and work on their common
problems-such as alcoholism, substance abuse, depression, family issues,
and relationships. Self-help groups are generally free and can be found
in most communities. You may also join an online support group right
here at About. We have a support group meeting 24 hours a day in our
chat room.
For more information about Self-Help Groups:
American Self-Help Clearinghouse
Northwest Covenant Medical Center
25 Pocono Road
Denville, NJ 07834-2995
voice: 201-625-9565
fax: 201-625-9565
http://mentalhelp.net/selfhelp/
National Mental Health Self-Help Clearinghouse
1211 Chestnut Street, Suite 1000
Philadelphia, PA 19107
800-553-4KEY
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
People with severe mental illness may be eligible for several forms of
public assistance, both to meet basic costs of living and to pay for
health care. Such programs include Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid,
and disability benefits.
For information about Social Security, Medicare, and disability benefits
call:
Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213.
SSA Web site: http://www.ssa.gov/
Medicare
Medicare is America's major Federal health insurance program for people
who are 65 or older and for some with disabilities who are under 65. It
provides basic protection for the cost of health care. Two programs can
help people who have low incomes receive benefits. These are the
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) and the Specified Low- Income
Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) programs.
Medicaid
Medicaid pays for some health care costs for America's poorest people.
More information about Medicaid and who is eligible for it is available
at local welfare and medical assistance offices. Although there are
certain Federal requirements, each State has its own rules and
regulations for Medicaid. The Medicaid ClearinghouseWeb site contains
links to information for individual states.
BECOME A RESEARCH SUBJECT
Many research programs for new meds and treatments will provide free
treatment for participants. The downside of this is you run the risk of
getting a placebo or an unproven treatment, but if you have nothing to
lose take a look at Research Subjects Needed. This page currently lists
several different research programs all around the US and Canada.
FREE CLINICS
If anyone knows of other free clinics around the country, please email
me and I'll add them to the list.
Haight Ashbury Free Clinic
This free clinic in San Francisco provides services for general health
care, HIV, homeless people, mental health care and substance abuse
recovery.
Locating Other Free Clinics
The National Free Clinic Directory and A Free Clinic: Starting Out (a
manual on how to start free clinics) are published by The Free Clinic
Foundation of America and the Bradley Free Clinic of Roanoke, Virginia.
You can reach them at:
Free Clinic Foundation of America
1240 Third Street, SW
Roanoke, VA 24016
Phone (540) 344-8242
Fax (540) 342-0220
e-mail bradle...@mailcity.com
FURTHER RESOURCES
For more information about paying for mental health care, contact:
Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN)
P.O. Box 42490
Washington, DC 20015
800-789-CMHS (2647)
800-790-CMHS (2647) (electronic bulletin board)
http://www. mentalhealth.org/
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
200 North Glebe Road, Suite 1015
Arlington, VA 22203-3754
voice: 703-524-7600
fax: 703-524-9094
http://www.nami.org/
National Empowerment Center
20 Ballard Road
Lawrence, MA 01843
voice: 800-769-3728
fax: 508-681-6426
While I do not wish to flame the information which Eric has so kindly
provided I would like to point out the last line. Free meds out the wazoo. Be quite aware that the new, although not necessarily young
psychiatrists have been trained quite extensively in the mythos of drug
intervention. They might or might not have received extensive training
in actual psychotherapeutic technique, however.
Despite the opinion of Eric, I submit that you will be better served to
be seen by a community based social services agency first, then, if
required, be referred out.
Have no doubt, hover that Eric's' suggestion will get you drugs, and
perhaps some form of therapy.
