No health insurance: Need help

[steamvessel]

OK, I am ready to go out and get some help. I've asked this question several times and gotten some answers, but I'll ask again. My situation is the same as many right now. I am unemployed, depressed, and do not have health insurance. I've tried dealing with my depression with cognitive therapy, exercise, you name it. It just isn't going away.

I live in Oregon, I was wondering if anybody can give me advice on where to start to look for help. I've tried googling some places but it hasn't been helpful. I'd like to find a sliding scale psychologist or psychiatrist, and a Dr. than can prescribe me meds. I have finally reached the point where I will do what it takes to get this taken care of, I can't keep living like this. This is beyond my issues with alcohol or really anything external in my life, I haven't been drinking and I really don't think this is PAWS either. This is pretty severe depression I am dealing with. I am having a hard time getting out of bed in the morning.

Any help would be much appreciated.

[Freedom1990]

Well, I know the mental health center where I have counseling and regularly see a psychiatrist for med evals has a sliding fee scale, where I was paying 5.00 per session (before I got a MediKan card). I'd start making some phone calls in your area if I were you.

I also get my prescriptions through http://www.pparx.org.

[adore79]

Look up DSHS in Portland area. You can get assistance for health care and other things. Good luck!

[mle-sober]

Hey Steam,

I'm sorry you are having it rough. I'm glad you are reaching out for help.

It looks like you have some good suggestions. I wish I had something to add but I don't know Oregon at all. Except that I'm thinking about you and hoping you find relief soon.

Hang in there,
Emilie

[gelfling]

Hi...if I might suggest... contact your doctor's office and ask them if there are any programs they might be able to suggest.

Our pcp recommended a program in our area that dealt directly with participating physicians. Based on income. At one point, we got free medical care and that included psyche.

Don't give up. I've been on 13 different antidepressants and can't take anything. Now considered Treatment Resistant Depression. Tried CBT and unable to focus and keep my attention on any reading for extended periods because of the depression.

Good luck

[sfgirl]

I'm uninsured too— it sucks. A great place to get prescriptions filled is the pharmacy at Costco. You don't have to be a member and the prices are so much cheaper than anywhere else, it is a fraction of what Walgreen's or places like that charge. My generic Zoloft (setraline) is $10 a month. That other site someone recommended looks good too.

[Thanks2HP]

I know what it's like to be depressed. I've pretty much suffered from it my whole life. Put the business end of a .22 rifle (only firearm I had access to) in my mouth at age 16. I've thought about suicide many times since but only came close one other time. I know it is a long term solution for a short term problem. I've been one of the "walking wounded", able to function at a fairly high level. I've been in recovery since 1994. Life got better but I couldn't shake the depression. I went to see a shrink around 1999. She prescribed Prozac, then a few others. I think I was expecting too much as nothing "seemed to work". In 2004 I decided to seek help again. This time I tried Lexapro and it helped. I wasn't walking around dancing a jig but I felt better over all. I started dating my current girlfriend in 2006 and in 2008 stopped taking the Lexapro because of the sexual side effects. I'm on Welbutrin now which doesn't have any side effects that I can tell. Of course not everyone that takes it can say the same.

I guess I wrote all that just to say that I hope you are successful in finding help and that the meds help you as much or more as they have helped me and countless others.

Warm Regards,

R

[Done_With_It]

Originally Posted by steamvessel

OK, I am ready to go out and get some help. I've asked this question several times and gotten some answers, but I'll ask again. My situation is the same as many right now. I am unemployed, depressed, and do not have health insurance. I've tried dealing with my depression with cognitive therapy, exercise, you name it. It just isn't going away.

I live in Oregon, I was wondering if anybody can give me advice on where to start to look for help. I've tried googling some places but it hasn't been helpful. I'd like to find a sliding scale psychologist or psychiatrist, and a Dr. than can prescribe me meds. I have finally reached the point where I will do what it takes to get this taken care of, I can't keep living like this. This is beyond my issues with alcohol or really anything external in my life, I haven't been drinking and I really don't think this is PAWS either. This is pretty severe depression I am dealing with. I am having a hard time getting out of bed in the morning.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Every state has a state mental health care that you can get help from, it is just hard to find if you don't know how or about it.

I don't have health insurance either but I go through the state to get mine.
It was and still can be a pain in the ass at times, but it's better than not having any.

Call 211 from your phone and they should be able to help you and/or direct you as to what your next step should be. They can also help you with job resources, food, etc. or whatever else you may be looking for.

Here is a link,

211info

but you can just call them, it's like 911 but non emergency.


This is also a good site,

I Hate My Life

Most of it is for California but there is a Nationwide link on there as well
I Hate My Life

Great stuff in there, and he has a great story also!


If you are under 30

Outside In :: Serving homeless youth and low-income adults in Portland Oregon

- Priority is given to those who are under 21 and homeless.
- All visits are on a sliding scale based on income. We have a $10 minimum fee. No one is refused for inability to pay.
- Some medication and labs are provided.
- We bill the following OHP insurance only: Care Oregon and OpenCard.
- For family planning and HIV services, we bill all other OHP HMOs.

We take appointments for acupuncture and tattoo removal only. All other clinics are walk-in.

If you are over 30

Home - Coalition of Community Health Clinics

Other Free or Low-Cost Clinics - Coalition of Community Health Clinics

Find a Clinic - Get Healthcare - Coalition of Community Health Clinics


Lots of stuff there!!

13 Community Clinics
Safety Net Clinics
Download List of Clinics (pdf)
Clinics By Neighborhood
Other Free or Low Cost Clinics
Dental Resources
Urgent Care Clinics

Good luck and don't give up, you can get help!!

:ghug