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Did you know there are a myriad of ways a person can access mental health resources. If you don’t have insurance benefits or the discretionary spending to pay out of pocket, consider these options while thinking about how you can pay for mental health.

Local mental health agencies- many communities, especially in larger urban areas, have a local mental health agency that may offer therapy, case management, or psychiatric services.

EAP- EAP stands for Employee Assistance Program. Many EAP programs offer a limited number of free sessions. The great part about an EAP is there is no out of pocket cost to you and you don’t necessarily have to carry insurance through your employer. Start by contacting you HR department with your employer (or your spouse’s employer) to find out if your company offers an EAP.

Local Support Groups- Many communities offer support groups. There is Alcoholics Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery, Narcotics Anonymous, Al Anon and the list goes on. Often local churches may offer a grief support group. There are support groups for illnesses, single parents, caregivers depending on the need in your community.

Graduate Students- Every licensed clinician out there had to start somewhere. It’s possible counseling centers or schools may offer free sessions with graduate students. Call around to local counseling centers or contact your local college to find out if this is an option.

School Counseling- If you’re in college your school has a counseling center. This resource is covered through your tuition. These clinicians are able to offer help and support with a wide variety of problems such as depression, anxiety, relationships, trauma, eating disorders and more. Counselors in university/college settings are not relegated to just career counseling.

Did we miss any? Drop a comment to let us know other ways people can find help with their mental health.