My sister is in need of a counselor but has no insurance. Are there mental health programs out there for people with no insurance and low incomes? She is a student and works at the daycare I run. She really needs to talk with someone but cant afford to go to a therapist. She doesnt know where to start looking. Any ideas? Thanks
I have had a couple of friends that have gone to a free/sliding fee counseling service in Minneapolis. I want to say it is right in the Uptown/South Minneapolis area. Off of Nicollet. If you need more specifics let me know and I will ask.
Have a good day!
I have also heard that walkin.org has a great reputation for counseling. Additionally most churches in the area would provide counseling services if your sister would feel comfortable. Good luck!
If she is a student, she should check with her school. All highschools and universities have programs in place to assist students with emotional needs and most are free or offered at very low costs.
Family and Children's Services is a really great place. They have a few locations in the area. They take regular insurance, but also work on a sliding fee, so she could go for as little as $6/visit. Me and my husband use them for individual and joint counseling. They are open to anyone (not just families or parents, like the name indicates). Hope this helps her!
There is an agency called the Mental Health Collective on 35th and Bryant in Mpls. that has a sliding fee scale. the number there is ###-###-####. There is a walk in clinic that is donation only on Chicago and 24th or so in Mpls. too. Crisis Connection is a hotline you can call also.
Try MinnesotaCare, its a program similar to county assistance however it is a State program and it is not considered well-fare. The program is designed for Low Income Familes and single adults. There are income and asset limits, however they are much higher than the county programs. One requirement is that she must not have had insurance for the past 4 months, and she can not have current insurance. The program also has a monthly premium which is based on her income. She could get medical, dental and eyeglass insurance and the medical covers mental health. The phone # is (800) 657-3672 the phones are open 8:30-4pm daily, it is easiest to get through in the mornings, or she can get the application online at www.mncare411.com
There was counseling available at the college I went to and it was free to students. And I had a friend who was referred from the college counselor to a state program that had a sliding scale based on insurance and income. I would suspect there would be SOMETHING she could find through the school even if it's a 1-800 number. Also if she is a member at a church, that might be an option.
One of the best resources in Minneapolis is The Walk-in counseling center. Check it out at walkin.org. It's free and they have an outstanding reputation. Check out the website for further information. Blessings to your sister.
I would think if she's a student, she should have some free resources available through school. Have her check there... Otherwise, maybe the local Community Action Counsel? Good luck!
She could try Catholic Charities. They work w/ people w/out insurance and have a sliding fee scale based on income. My experiance is they don't push religion unless you are open to it.
She could check with HSI (Human Services Inc). Last I knew, they offered care with a sliding scale fee based on income. If income is low enough it may even be free, but I am not positive on that. They have offices in Oakdale, Cottage Grove, Forest Lake and Stillwater.
You can check out http://www.hsicares.org/about/about.htm for some more information :)
B.,
Just read the responses, all good ideas. A couple other good ones are in Minneapolis. Neighborhood Involvement Program at 2431 Hennepin Ave. is one (http://www.neighborhoodinvolve.org/) and Walk-In Counseling Center at 24321 Chicago Ave. (http://www.walkin.org/)is another. NIP is sliding scale fee based on income and slides pretty low. WICC is optional donation. Good luck, S. R.
