How to Access Mental Health Care with Care?

With ever-rising uncertainties in the world, with covid cases reaching the sky, with no respite from schools, universities and job providers, the only thing that has been low lately is everybody’s mental energy. If anything, good has from this pandemic it has been awareness around the need for accessible, affordable and quality mental health care for all. From every nook and corner mental health organizations and professionals have been trying to organize workshops, raise funds, seminars, etc. to make mental well-being an equal resource for all.

However, at times, even the people who can afford to pay for therapy, try to avail themselves of financially aided sessions. This can stem from guilt around needing help, the stigma around feeling mentally unwell, and/ or thinking that your mental health is not worth investing in.

As a trainee counsellor, I have tried to host free art sessions (not therapy, just sessions wherein we paint random things together) multiple times. The reach has been low, which is okay. But at the same time, the people who did agree to attend the session have cancelled last minute, multiple times.

The intent behind Celebrating You (a small organization founded by Anuradha, a counsellor in training) was and has always been to create a safe space for people to just come together, breathe, share and unload. I have tried to uphold the highest ethics and be present for people in my best capacities.

However, the energy to do pro bono work is limited. Even more in cases when the recipients take your time and effort for granted.

I have the highest regard for people who prioritize their mental health and their needs. I have been guilty of not attending free of charge workshops because I was too anxious to attend the session and I had no energy plus a lot of guilt in informing that I will not be able to come today. A part of growing up has been realizing that it is simply not cool to devalue when others are doing something for you.

Seldom people request me for contacts for free or low-cost therapy. Again, it is fair to request financial aid. There is absolutely no shame in requesting aided therapy. There is no guilt in requesting support paid or unpaid. However, what is not cool, acceptable and fair is to access financially aided therapy for free. It is not okay to take the efforts of others for granted. If you can contribute in any way, please do so. Becoming a counsellor is costly, both physically and mentally.

How can you contribute alternatively?

1. Request for financial aid- It is important to use the right terminology. Therapy is a service, not a product. Do not ask for a discount or free service. Request for support as and when you need it. Every therapist has their standard per session price which is more or less stated on their website, Instagram page or Practo account (an application used for booking medical appointments). See how much is viable for you to pay, ask the mental health provider if they can support you or if they offer therapy on a sliding scale. This is a respectable way of asking if the therapist is open for negotiating per session price. Also, if you are in the process of saving and will be eventually paid fully to the therapist, DO SO! Mental health professionals especially work based on compassion and support. We work within the community of mankind, for and of them.

2. Be on time.
   

3. Cancel well in advance- If you have an emergency or you are not feeling well, inform as soon as possible. Nobody is judging you for choosing yourself, especially not your therapist. Your slot can be given to another client who might be in need of urgent support.
   

4. Do your homework- This one is for your own sake. Aided sessions are usually brief because it is not possible to support aid for long without external funds. While as someone who has seen mental illness first hand, I know sometimes there is simply no energy to do anything at all. However, now that you have taken the first step to help yourself, use your therapy sessions to achieve your goals.

If you are unable to do homework as given by your therapist, ask them to help you build a support or buddy system of sorts. Your friends, family or even strangers can check on you. Again, there is no shame in seeking support.

I have myself availed and requested financial aid when I was unable to pay for my own therapy. It is okay to feel entitled to support when your body and mind are not supporting you. I do not want to judge anyone on their ability to spend Rs. 1500 on a random dress or book they saw online but the inability to afford Rs. 700-800 30minutes counselling session because that is not kind of me. Everyone has their own budget and desires. I cannot request you to be there for yourself by inducing guilt in you. My only aim here is to present you with the stark reality of the profession of mental health.

I urge you to continue to request affordable mental health services because they should be. Seek mental health care with care. Acknowledge your own struggles. Work on and for your mental health. You do not need to make sense to others. Their trajectory does not have to match yours.