Psychiatric crisis resources in Jacksonville, FL?
July 15, 2015 7:19 PM   Subscribe

I'm in a crisis (I'm hospitalized right now) and I need psychiatric help and help affording treatment. How can I get these kinds of help in Jacksonville FL? Can you recommend a low-cost counselor, or a program to help me get affordable medical coverage? I'm an adult in my late twenties but am financially dependent on my father, and programs have rejected me because of his income.

Following a crisis, I am now hospitalized and will be moved to the psych unit after my health stabilizes. I'm worried though. I've been to 5 psych wards and not once have I got the resources I needed. The first time I was told I needed live on the streets to get the medical/psychiatric care. The second time, I applied for a Shands clinic card (free/discounted health services) and I was told I wasn't eligible because I still live with my parents and the bill would be based on my father's income. But he was in debt and my parents did not take the situation seriously enough at the time. He's on unemployment now though, and he seems open to getting me help now after this latest crisis.

Before this, I was committed into a psych facility less than a week ago (just one month after working for the first time in 10 years), and I have had myself committed 4 times, voluntarily and involuntarily, since my sibling's death 3 years ago. During this time I've been starving myself for about a year in order to succumb to society's standards of normal (in isolation, mind you) and I managed to lose over 120 lbs (I was previously obese, now I'm borderline underweight). I'm more miserable now than I ever was, which is saying a lot, because I've been severely depressed since as long as I can remember. It's a miracle I survived this long, honestly.

I don't have insurance or money or social skills and so I'm not sure what option there is for me beyond being charged thousands for a hospital stay I can't afford. I'm not even sure I have the part-time job at this point.

I have made tremendous progress on my own despite being agoraphobic and socially anxious/awkward and not taking medication or seeing a therapist. I got a part-time job where I am verbally abused on regularly basis, and I'm not sure I can't function working under those conditions after a childhood of being isolated and abused in a cult-like environment. I can't adjust like a normal person.

In the past I've tried to get help, and from what little brain capacity I have I was pretty much told I had to be homeless to get the resources I need. I've been told over and over again that I can't get help because everything is based on my father's income. I don't know what to do.

Mind you, despite being in my late 20s I have the experience and mentality of a 12 year old. If you're kind of enough to reach out, please explain it to me like I'm 5.

Please please please help me get to the help I need. I'm almost 30 and I have lost so many years of my life.

My throwaway is kyufor@gmail.com.
posted by anonymous to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)
 
Have you spoken to the hospital social worker? I know you mentioned not getting help during past hospitalizations but usually the social worker is your best resource for ths type of question. Ask about an intensive outpatient program/partial program if you would qualify for that - it doesn't require you to be homeless, for sure, and it basically is a day program for psychiatric care.

I will add I knew someone in a similar situation and he father had to stop sending her money and attest to that somehow, but that was specifically to qualify for disability.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 8:17 PM on July 15, 2015 [1 favorite]


Disability Rights Florida is a nonprofit advocacy organization with priorities that include helping people obtain access to publicly funded benefits and services. You can contact DRW by phone, mail and online.
posted by Little Dawn at 8:41 PM on July 15, 2015


The NAMI HelpLine is a free service that provides information, referrals and support to people living with a mental health condition that can be reached at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), Monday - Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., ET, or by writing to info@nami.org.
posted by Little Dawn at 9:02 PM on July 15, 2015


NAMI Jacksonville can be reached at 904-724-7782 and their website says "if you are in need of assistance or information, please call and leave a message. You are important to us and your call will be returned as soon as possible by one of our capable volunteers."
posted by Little Dawn at 9:18 PM on July 15, 2015


I don't know your gender, but Women's Center of Jacksonville has a ton of resources and help for low income/no income people. If you're a male, they can help you find resources as well. Their phone number is 904-722-3000. Please feel free to memail me anytime-sending you lots of hugs and well wishes.
posted by hollygoheavy at 7:40 AM on July 16, 2015


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