Don't know how to go about getting help, but know I can't afford it

LegacyUser

Hi, I'm a young guy going through a very difficult time. I'm usually a very upbeat and possitive person, but over the last two years things haven't gone my way at all. So while I felt things get bad, I just put it off thinking it would get better but that obviously took it's toll on me, especially since I had nobody at all I could rely on to talk to.

Anyway, I've decided to look into counselling to deal with some things that I've put off in hopes of getting back to the lad I was before all this started. I'm on my own so I'd have to pay for all of this, but I'm unsure if I could manage it. I'd have to actually go about locating a counsellor for a start which is something I am clueless about. How do you find counsellors in your area for example?

I'd appreciate any guidance on how to get this going. Thanks

Taltos

Hi OP

first thing is to go speak with your GP or another doctor if your GP is not supportive.
They are best placed to recommend a service, it might be counselling or it might be something you're not expecting, for example CBT or yoga, it all depends on what you tell them.

In terms of being able to afford to pay - some counsellors are flexible on their rates, be open and ask them if they can accommodate your income in some way. Not all can but some do.
Afraid we can't suggest or recommend specific counsellors here, against the rules, but check google, talk to your GP or even ask around or ask for references... (check their sites if they have one).

All the best, hopefully someone else can give you more concrete information on funding.

Esoteric_

To add to what Taltos said, some counselling services are donation based, whereby you give a small donation each week, based on your income. When I was in counselling and on the dole, I used to give a fiver per session. You can always ask your GP to recommend places that are affordable to you.

ibarelycare

Hi OP, I'm not sure where you're based but in Dublin anyway (and more than likely elsewhere in the country) there are psychology colleges where the students, as part of their training, offer counselling services. The only cost to the person attending is to cover the overheads (rent etc) so it can be as little as €10/15 per session, and in Dublin they operate from various areas around the city.

It probably doesn't sound very appealing going to a student, but I know two people who have gone to these counselors and both times they were seen by mature students (30+), who they found great, and they're all in their final years too. They're very accommodating, you can request if you want someone more mature or someone younger, male or female, etc.




Taltos you said we cannot suggest specific counsellors here, but is it ok to name the college I'm talking about?

RossFixxxed

Do you work? You may be signed up to the VHI Employee Assistance Programme. 100% free of charge, and will give you up to six free councelling sessions.

If not your GP is the way to go. There ARE free mental health services in Ireland. Cluain Mhuire run by John of Gods is one. No charge at all, but obviously waiting times are longer. They have a huge range of services and are worth looking out for. But really a GP is the first port of call.

I know how tight money is, it's a nightmare for me too. That said, your health is WAY more important. Think of it like a car, the longer you keep driving it when something is wrong the worse it COULD get, and the bigger the bill from the mechanic will be!

Taltos

Hi ibarelycare - thanks for checking on this.
Let me double check with my co-mods/cat-mods just to be safe.

Got a fast response, in this case we are Ok with the suggestion of the college but as per your post please don't provide any names of individuals. It helps that this is not promoting a business but it should still not be viewed as a replacement from getting therapy from a fully qualified professional. OP - please educate yourself to the risks that may be associated to this suggestion.

Hadn't thought of using colleges though - great suggestion.

ibarelycare

Thanks Taltos.


OP the college I'm talking about is PCI College. I actually see now from their website that they're all over the country. Their Counselling Services page gives details of their low cost counselling (and it's also good to know that it's a non-profit service )

JuliusCaesar

Please remember that the HSE mental health services are free. Most staff (nurses, social workers, etc) will have some kind of counselling qualification and they have a fair amount of resources available from one-to-one counselling to groups for treating depression and anxiety, from out-patient services to day hospitals to inpatient admission services. And these are all free of charge.

Get a referral from your GP to your local services. Waiting lists will vary from time to time and from place to place, but HSE mental health services cover the entire country.