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Can People Who Need Help Afford to Get It? Although the cost of help may be high, the real question is whether you can afford not to get it. If you have a ruptured appendix, you don't evaluate whether you can afford to get help. If you or someone you know has a ruptured psyche, you should apply the same logic. An old adage says "A doctor who treats himself has a fool for a patient." A patient who treats himself has a bigger fool for a doctor. A doctor who treats herself has at least had training in how to treat people; if a patient with mental illness treats herself, in most cases she has no such advantage. Mental health
professionals are highly skilled and highly educated, and their services have been rated as very worthwhile in the largest survey ever made of
people who sought their help. In a growing number of cases insurance covers all or most of the cost of services for psychological problems.
Even people who have extremely limited financial
resources may be able to get help. Unfortunately, the help sometimes has to come in the form of intervention by police. They may be the only
people available to handle someone who is out of control because of a mental problem. Police officers kill
a distressing number of people with mental problems each year. One goal of this
healthinmind web site is to help people find
help for very serious problems before the police are needed. Emergency clinics, outpatient treatment, and inpatient facilities are available in many urban centers in the United States. Many psychologists, psychiatrists,
and other professional clinicians spend part of their time in "pro
bono" work (that means unpaid work for the general good), and many adjust their fees downward for people of limited income. In addition,
programs like Medicaid may pay for treatment. Nobody wants to see a distressed
person shot by police or commit suicide when it can be prevented by timely
intervention. Most mental health professionals are very compassionate people who
are eager to help. You can get help! Last updated 12/19/03 |
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