This can be a daunting task for patients and families–trying to figure out where to go for help. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides information about mental health treatment and services and finding mental health professionals. You can find help on the NAMI website on locating treatment services (https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment) and making informed decisions about what’s best for a patient or a loved one (https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/Treatment-Settings).
Finding a mental health provider that participates in your insurance plan could be an important financial consideration. Check with your insurance provider’s member services department or provider directory to locate mental health care professionals in your area. For help locating Medicare, Medicaid and other low-cost or sliding-scale treatment options, many people contact the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline and treatment locator services (https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline). Another resource is Psychology Today, where information is available about therapists, psychiatrists, PMH-APRNs and treatment centers (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us).