Affordable Depression Help: Resources When You Have No Insurance

Chronic depression is difficult for anyone to deal with. When you don't have health insurance, you face even more hurdles. Still, getting the help you need probably isn't as difficult as you think. A number of low-cost options exist for people to get help for depression without health insurance. A lack of medical coverage is not a reason to keep suffering from mental health problems.

Group Therapy

• Group therapy exists in just about every major city. These are inexpensive or free ways to get help for your depression. Not only will the therapy itself help, but the people in the group also may be able to give you leads on other options. There is a free 12-step group Emotions Anonymous that is very helpful for people with depression. Psychology Today's website has a searchable list of group therapy.

Clinics

• Most cities also have low-cost clinics. These can be helpful in providing talk therapy. They also can provide you access to doctors at little or no cost. Medical doctors can talk to you about your symptoms and prescribe relevant medications.

Generic Medication

• Medication costs are not cheap. However, you can get the medication you need at a lower cost by buying generic drugs. For example, the brand name prescription drug Prozac can be bought in a much cheaper generic form known as fluoxetine. There is nothing sub-par about generic drugs. In many cases, the additional cost you are paying with a brand name is for the name itself.

Sliding Scale

• Many therapists operate on a sliding scale, meaning that they will accept lower payments from low-income people without insurance. Look through a directory of therapists, such as the one at Psychology Today's website. Each therapist's page will note if sliding scale payments are available.