psychological help

[Havoc]

Hi,
Would anyone here know how someone could about getting free psychological help? My sister recently lost her husband in a very traumatic way and does not have health insurance to cover it.

 

[browneyes]

Is there a church nearby to her that has counselors on hand?

 

[ByTheSea]

Is she employed? If so, have her check with her employer to see if there is an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) available.

Do you have an EAP at your place of employement? Some programs will cover extended family members for short term counseling and referral....

Check your phone book for UnitedWay 1st call for help, they may be a resource. Is there a University in your area? Another possible source. There is also assistance available online, not to replace real help, but to supplement it. Try ivillage.com for many support groups.

Good luck to her. The lose of a spouse is quite devastating, there is help available but sometimes you have to dig for it.

Finally suggestion, look up a medical referral service and explain the situation.

 

[disykat]

I immediately think of Lutheran Social Services. I think there is also a Catholic Social Services. Both are large organizations that serve much more than their religious community.

The local hospitals should have social workers that would be able to refer her to appropriate grief groups etc. and find free or low cost counseling for her.

 

[WillyJ]

Havoc, welcome to the DIS, and let me say how sorry I am for your sister and what she's going through.. .

There are some excellent suggestions here, and one I can add is that she might try talking to her personal doctor and see if he or she can provide some guidence and information.

I know there are some mental health providers that will take patients on an "abilty to pay" scale, and maybe her doctor can provide her the names of those that do in her area.

Everyone faces difficult times in life where they need some help getting through. . I commend you for looking our for your sister, and I hope everything works out okay for her. .

 

[honeywolf7]

Have her check with her county's Social Services as well....they often offer either free counseling or sliding scale.

 

[DocRafiki]

Most cities have government-funded clinics. They're harder to find in small towns. Look in the blue pages (government pages) under state or county government. Try the following...

Social Services
Health Department
Mental Health

As a student, I qualified for free appointments in one city and had to pay $5 per visit in another.

Good luck to your sister.

 

[tar heel]

Call your local hospice. The one I work for offers grief counseling to people in the community who lost loved ones who were NOT hospice patients. Individual counseling and support groups are included. There also are programs for children. It's all free, too. Many hospices offer such programs.