People often don’t get the mental health services they need because they don’t know where to start. Talk to your primary care doctor or another health professional about mental health problems. Ask them to connect you with the right mental health services. If you do not have a health professional who is able to assist you, use these resources to find help for yourself, your friends, family, and others.

Getting emergency help:

If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Also consider these options if you’re having suicidal thoughts:

• Call your mental health specialist.
• Call a suicide hotline number — in the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
• Veterans – Use that same number and press “1” to reach the Veterans Crisis Line.
• Seek help from your primary doctor or other health care provider.
• Reach out to a close friend or loved one.
• Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone else in your faith community.

If a loved one or friend is in danger of attempting suicide or has made an attempt:

• Make sure someone stays with that person
• Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately
• Or, if you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Paying for Mental Health Care

If you are not insured, look into:

• Community-based mental health centers(CMHCs) – sliding scale basis
• Pastoral counseling – sliding scale basis
• Self-help groups – generally free
• Public assistance programs for mental health care costs – disability insurance or supplemental security income, Medicare, Medicaid

For more information about how to pay for mental health care, contact the National Mental Health Information Center.